Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether all requests for information on files covered by the Official Secrets Act 1989 receive a standard response or are considered on a case by case basis.
Answered by Lord Maude of Horsham
Neither HMG files nor information generally is classified under the Official Secrets Act; rather the Act creates an offence for the unauthorised disclosure of information that is defined as being damaging under it. All requests for information are considered under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any files on child abuse have been passed to his Department by (a) other parts of the Government or (b) hon. Members; and in what year such files were so passed.
Answered by Lord Maude of Horsham
The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
The Cabinet Office has no record of having been passed any files on child abuse by another department or honourable members.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Government's policy is on waiving the obligations of officials under the Official Secrets Acts when they (a) provide evidence to official inquiries and (b) provide information privately to hon. Members.
Answered by Lord Maude of Horsham
The obligations under the Official Secrets Act apply at all times.
Provision may be made for protected disclosures in certain circumstances.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department's policy is on responding to parliamentary questions where the subject file or letter is within the scope of the Official Secrets Act 1989.
Answered by Lord Maude of Horsham
The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
The Cabinet Office complies with any relevant legislation, including the Official Secrets Act, when responding to Written Parliamentary Questions.
Guidance to answering Parliamentary Questions is available online: www.gov.uk/government/publications/drafting-answers-to-parliamentary-questions-guidance
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any files on child abuse have been passed to No. 10 Downing Street by (a) other parts of the Government or (b) hon. Members; and in what year such files were so passed.
Answered by Lord Maude of Horsham
The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
The Cabinet Office has no record of having been passed any files on child abuse by another department or honourable members.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what No. 10 Downing Street's policy is on responding to parliamentary questions where the subject file or letter is within the scope of the Official Secrets Act 1989.
Answered by Lord Maude of Horsham
The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
The Cabinet Office complies with any relevant legislation, including the Official Secrets Act, when responding to Written Parliamentary Questions.
Guidance to answering Parliamentary Questions is available online: www.gov.uk/government/publications/drafting-answers-to-parliamentary-questions-guidance