division_name: Freedom of Information Bill - Time for compliance with request
motion: <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 102, in page 5, line 23, after 'subsection', insert '(1A) or'.
  <p> 
     Mr. Deputy Speaker  (Mr. Michael J. Martin):   
   With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment No. 103, in page 5, line 25, at end insert--
   
  
  <p>Individuals are protected by the Data Protection Act. But what protections are there available to business? Under the Bill as it currently stands, business does not even have a statutory right to be notified when sensitive information about that business is to be disclosed. It has no right to object to its disclosure, no right to appeal the decision and no right to apply for compensation.
  <p>To publish the identities of Authorised Examiners withdrawn from the scheme could be prejudicial to any of their other business interests unconnected with the MOT testing scheme and therefore a list of those withdrawn from the scheme is not published.--[ Official Report , 21 December 1999; Vol. 341, c. 530W.]
  <p>as open a way as possible--[ Official Report , 21 December 1999; Vol. 341, c. 562W.]
  <p>recognises its public remit and responsibility, but it is the professional judgment of its Board that . . . targets can only be met if the company operates in a commercial manner. NMEC is competing in the crowded and highly commercial market place of visitor attractions and its competitors do not publish detailed statistics of forward sales.
  <p>Information is exempt information if it constitutes a trade secret
  <p>if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person.
  <p>the commercial interests of any person
  <p>if its disclosure under this Act . . . would be likely to . . . prejudice the commercial interests of any person.
  <p>We believe the test for disclosing information should be one of simple harm and not substantial harm. Any attempt to limit the ability to withhold information to that which may cause substantial harm to a business may prevent the voluntary disclosure of information to Government. Without proper assurances, we do not consider that the Government's approach will achieve the objective of two-way openness and trust.
  <p>the quality or safety of the goods or services produced or supplied by the person
  <p>or the conditions under which those goods or services are produced or supplied;
  <p>the prejudice to that person's commercial interests would result from the exercise of more informed choice by persons seeking to acquire those goods or services.
  <p>conditions under which those goods or services are produced or supplied
  <p>It being Ten o'clock, the debate stood adjourned. 
  <p>Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), 
  <p>That at this day's sitting, the Freedom of Information Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.-- [Mr. Mike Hall.] 
  <p>Question agreed to. 
  <p>As amended in the Standing Committee, again considered. 
  <p>Question again proposed,  That the amendment be made.
   
  
  <p>Question put,  That the amendment be made:--
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 165, Noes 347.
  