Freedom of Information

Lord Bach was asked about any plans the Government has to amend the Freedom of Information Act to allow a person who was the subject of a FOIA request to know who had made the request. There have been concerns that some people have been "stalked" by malicious individuals.

In response Lord Bach highlighted the little know right of subjects under s7 of the Data Protection Act to know who is asking questions about them by making a "Subject Access Request". This piece of information was swelcomed by people who had been victims of such "stalking" themselves.

The question can be viewed at (about 1 minute 20 seconds into the broadcast) http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=4715&wfs=true. (see also 3:20 minutes into the broadcast)

The Week Ahead

The Inauguration of the President will dominate the early part of the week in Washington. Monday is Martin Luther King Day, and Tuesday will see Congress meet for the Inauguration itself. Legislative action to deal with the current financial crisis will the main focus of the House of Representatives for the rest of the week. More details of the business can be found at http://democraticleader.house.gov/docUploads/3WeeklyLeader11609.pdf?CFID=7017212&CFTOKEN=43085550

Details of the Senate can be found at http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/d_three_sections_with_teasers/calendars.htm

The business for Westminster is listed at http://services.parliament.uk/calendar/2009/01/19/week.html. Thursday will be an interesting day, as controversial plans to exempt MPs and Peers from Freedom of Information requirements relating to details of their expenses are debated. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jan/16/mps-expenses-exemption