Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill — That the Question now be proposed — 18 May 2007 at 10:15
Policies
The following policies have selected this division. You can use this to help you work out the meaning of the vote. Or list all policies.
| Policy | Vote (in this division) |
| Transparency of Parliament | no |
| Openness and Transparency - In Favour | abstain |
The majority of MPs voted in favour of formally considering amendments to the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill designed to remove Parliament and MPs from the power of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Specifically, the sponsor of the Bill moved "that the Question now be put"[1] (the Question being whether any amendments to this Bill be made). Normally this is a quick formality, but the opponents of the Bill, who knew that there was a majority of MPs in favour of this Bill,[2] were trying to slow down the process so it would run out of time (as they succeeded in doing previously).[3]
During a filibuster, every Parliamentary procedure is available to slow things down, so the day began with the deposition of a large number of petitions[4] which some members thought were somewhat suspicious.[5]
These amendments were voted on in Division 120 and Division 121
The votes during the previous debate are Division 94 and Division 95
- [1] David MacLean MP, House of Commons, 18 May 2007
- [2] Lords to shame MPs over secrecy bill, The Guardian, 20 May 2007
- [3] Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill debate, House of Commons, 20 April 2007
- [4] Petitions, House of Commons, 18 May 2007
- [5] Andrew Dismore MP, House of Commons, 18 May 2007