Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance he has provided to health service organisations on responding to freedom of information requests on preparations for the UK leaving the EU.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides a right of access to a wide range of information held by public sector organisations, including Government departments, public bodies, health trusts, hospitals and doctors’ surgeries.

The Parliamentary and Public Accountability Agreements Protocols in place between the Department and its arm’s length bodies covers best practice for responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. This includes consulting with the Department where necessary and sets out that the Department’s FOI team will provide informal, impartial advice on relevant legislation and duties.