Dept of Transport admits: Hoon withholding information about Heathrow from MPs

I recently sent Geoff Hoon an email concerning his statement to the House of Commons on the third Heathrow runway. Whilst I was asking him a rather obscure and pedantic point relating to the language he used, the reply I got is rather revealing.

To that end [deciding about the third runway], the Secretary of State reached his decision on the basis of a transparent and objective analysis of the evidence available as a result of the consultation that has taken place. He alone had the necessary knowledge of all the facts and issues that required consideration.

It would not have been appropriate for Parliament to participate in making the decision. Parliament would not have had access to all of the facts, assumptions and analyses that underpinned his decision.” [emphasis added]

So, Mr Hoon, just what information did you withhold from the UK’s sovereign decision-making body, which is meant to scrutinise your decisions and hold you accountable on behalf of the public?

Read more by or more about or .
This entry was posted in News.
Advert

3 Comments

  • David Heigham 11th Mar '09 - 1:03pm

    A Freedom of Information request?
    ‘Please list all the facts, assumptions and analyses that Parliament would not have had access to?’

  • Was just about to say what David H says above. Definitely worth a go.

Post a Comment

Lib Dem Voice welcomes comments from everyone but we ask you to be polite, to be on topic and to be who you say you are. You can read our comments policy in full here. Please respect it and all readers of the site.

To have your photo next to your comment please signup your email address with Gravatar.

Your email is never published. Required fields are marked *

*
*
Please complete the name of this site, Liberal Democrat ...?

Advert

Recent Comments

  • Nonconformistradical
    "Many people driving around in fifteen year old cars is an economic reality. " What's wrong with a fifteen year old car if it has been maintained properly. I...
  • Chloe
    Many people driving around in fifteen year old cars is an economic reality. Public transport outside of large cities is almost nonexistent at unsociable hours. ...
  • Chloe
    Of course David that's understandable. Sadly, too many times we've heard the usual PR statements rolled out. Robust measures will be put in place. Lessons mu...
  • Geoffrey Payne
    I was with you up to the online safety bill and "Should we as liberals not be advocating for a smaller government? What about being pro-business or pro-individu...
  • Geoffrey Payne
    I was holding my breathe but in the end the magic solution to the public sector funding crises did not appear. Lets look at the spending list we are committed t...