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Justice
Access to Information
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Mr. Michael Wills): Today I have deposited copies of “Draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007: Response to Consultation” in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are also available in the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office. I have also laid before Parliament the “Government response to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Report on Freedom of Information; Government's proposals for reform” (Cm 7187).
These documents set out the Government's response to the consultation on the draft FOI fees regulations and to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee Report. They also set out the Government's decision on next steps regarding the fees regulations. We have decided to make no changes to the existing fees regulations. We will deliver a package of positive administrative measures to make better use of the existing provisions to improve the way the Freedom of Information Act works.
The Government are commissioning a review of the “30-year rule”—the date by which public records must be transferred to The National Archives by Government Departments—and the date at which records become “historical”. Changes to these would require amendments to the Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act, and, taken together, could have the effect of increasing access to Government records. The review will consider the means by which such changes could be delivered and will include recommendations on an appropriate reduction period.
The Government are also publishing today a formal consultation on extending the application of the Freedom of Information Act, by means of an Order under Section 5 of the Act, to a range of organisations
that perform public functions. The consultation will run for three months and copies of the consultation paper are being deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are also available in the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office.
In addition to this, the Government are today announcing their intention to conduct a review of the way we share and protect personal information in the public and private sector. The review and any recommendations will be produced by Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner and Dr. Mark Walport, Director of Wellcome Trust, and published in the first half of 2008.
Coroners Courts (Reporting Restrictions)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Bridget Prentice): The Government published a draft Coroners Bill in June 2006 in which it proposed to give coroners discretion to impose on the media anonymous reporting in some inquest cases. Since the Bill was published, this strand of policy has been subject to extensive consultation with all those with an interest. Those consulted include the voluntary sector, bereaved families and media organisations, as well as coroners and others who work within the service. As a result of the consultation, the Government have reconsidered the policy and decided to remove this clause from the Bill, and retain the current rules about the reporting of inquests. The Bill will be brought before Parliament as soon as time allows.
Transport
Active Traffic Management
The Secretary of State for Transport (Ruth Kelly): Since September 2006, the Highways Agency has been trialling active traffic management (ATM) techniques on the M42 in the West Midlands, which have proved successful in reducing congestion and improving journey time reliability. Therefore, we are today announcing the extension of the scheme to improve the M6 round Birmingham and the M6 Toll, at a cost of £150 million, scheduled for completion by summer 2011.
I have also commissioned a study into the feasibility, benefits and costs of extending advanced signalling and traffic management systems, including hard shoulder running, more widely across the motorway network. The study will report to me in Spring 2008.
I am placing the M42 trial report and the terms of reference of the feasibility study in the Library of the House.
Work and Pensions
Cold Weather Payments
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. James Plaskitt):
I am pleased to announce that, following advice from the Meteorological Office, the annual review of the Cold Weather Payments scheme has now been completed.
Amending regulations were laid on 11 October and will come into force on 1 November, in time for the beginning of the winter period.
A number of postcode to weather station linkages have been revised following a review by the Meteorological Office of the linkages for all weather stations and their recommendation of changes where there will be significantly improved representation. Two of the weather stations used in the scheme last winter, Boltshope Park and Capel Curig, have been or are about to be closed and two others, Weybourne and St. Mawgan will no longer be primary weather stations for the scheme. Six new weather stations have been introduced at Norwich Airport, Redesdale, Filton, Trawsgoed, Shap and Charterhall to provide data for the scheme. Five new postcodes, introduced as a result of Royal Mail Postcode changes, and one business postcode which includes a residential address have been included in the scheme and 39 postcode to weather station linkages have been changed on the advice of the Meteorological Office following representations made by hon. Members.
Copies of the revised postcode to weather station linkages have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I have also written to each of the hon. Members who have made representations since last winter.
Cold Weather Payments are separate from, and in addition to, Winter Fuel Payments which are paid to eligible people from age 60.
Pensions (Transfer Values)
The Minister for Pensions Reform (Mr. Mike O'Brien): In the consultation on the calculation of pensions transfer values, a number of respondents asked for more time to get ready before the new regulations take effect. The Government have considered the arguments carefully and have decided to delay bringing the new regulations into force until 1 October 2008.
The existing arrangements for the calculation of pensions transfer values will therefore remain in force until that time.
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