MPs moaning about FoI…..again….

Ministers are releasing answers to Freedom of Information requests that they refuse to give MPs who have tabled parliamentary questions, an Essex MP has claimed.

Bernard Jenkin, Tory MP for North Essex, told the House of Commons the Health Department would not give him data about the performance of his local ambulance service - but they would give it to journalists if they made an FOI request.

During exchanges on coming parliamentary business, Mr Jenkin said he had been attempting to get information about the ambulance service in his constituency.

He said: “This used to be information given in parliamentary answers which is now denied to us since the regionalisation of the ambulance service.

“My local newspaper, the Colchester Evening Gazette, has subsequently been told that if they put down an FOI request, they will get that information.”

Mr Jenkin added: “Given that the Secretary of State for Health (Alan Johnson) is constitutionally responsible for the conduct of the health service, shouldn’t he be providing the information for parliamentary answers which my local newspaper seems able to get through the FOI Act?”

Commons Leader Harriet Harman Harman said: “We can’t have a situation where FOI requests get answered but people who are elected to this House, for the purpose of holding Government ministers to account, don’t get answers to their questions.

“That is absolutely the wrong way round.”

She urged Mr Jenkin to meet Deputy Commons Leader Chris Bryant to discuss the matter further.