This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6918266.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MPs angry at written statements MPs angry at written statements
(about 13 hours later)
The number of written statements issued by the government in the final days before Parliament's summer recess has angered opposition parties.The number of written statements issued by the government in the final days before Parliament's summer recess has angered opposition parties.
With more than 100 statements published on the eve of MPs' 76-day holiday, the shadow leader of the Commons said it showed "disdain" for Parliament. With more than 100 statements published on the eve of the 76-day holiday, shadow Commons leader Theresa May said it showed "disdain" for MPs.
And Liberal Democrats said the government's reluctance to share information "breeds suspicion". The Lib Dems said the government's reluctance to share information at an earlier stage bred suspicion.
But Commons leader Harriet Harman said it was a "practical issue". But Commons leader Harriet Harman said the timing was for "practical" reasons.
"There is a question as to whether or not departments look ahead, make sure they can give a written statement to this House, rather than either holding up decisions until October or putting them out to the media during the recess," she said in the Commons. 'Look ahead'
Among written statements issued were the guest list at Chequers, the cost of ministerial cars, new guidance from the Environment Department on tall buildings, and enhancements to the Barking-Gospel Oak railway line in London.
Ms Harman told MPs: "There is a question as to whether or not departments look ahead, make sure they can give a written statement to this House, rather than either holding up decisions until October or putting them out to the media during the recess.
It doesn't give members of Parliament proper opportunity to be able to assimilate the information and then be able to question ministers Theresa MayShadow leader of the CommonsIt doesn't give members of Parliament proper opportunity to be able to assimilate the information and then be able to question ministers Theresa MayShadow leader of the Commons
"It is simply a practical issue.""It is simply a practical issue."
Among written statements to be issued were the guest list at Chequers, the cost of ministerial cars, new guidance from the Environment Department on tall buildings, and enhancements to the Barking-Gospel Oak railway line from the transport department. Statements were also issued showing that the Child Support Agency has outstanding claims of £3.5bn, that a landmine destroyed an RAF Hercules in Afghanistan, and that former prime minister Tony Blair's "farewell tour" cost taxpayers more than £1.5m.
Statements were also issued showing that the Child Support Agency has outstanding claims of £3.5bn, a landmine mine destroyed an RAF Hercules in Afghanistan, and former PM Tony Blair's "farewell tour" cost taxpayers more than £1.5m. Ms May said the timing raised suspicions that bad news was being buried, adding: "It doesn't give members of Parliament proper opportunity to be able to assimilate the information and then be able to question ministers."
But Theresa May, shadow leader of the Commons, said it raised suspicions that bad news was being buried. Ministers had shown "disdain" for Parliament "in a whole variety of ways", she said.
"It doesn't give members of Parliament proper opportunity to be able to assimilate the information and then be able to question ministers. For the Liberal Democrats, Norman Lamb - who had repeatedly asked for the Chequers guest list to be released only for it to be given to a Labour MP - said: "Fundamentally I believe in open government and I think secrecy breeds suspicion.
"It comes on the back of a number of other things where we've seen Parliament not being given greater respect as the prime minister promised when he came into his office, but actually disdain being shown to Parliament by ministers in a whole variety of ways."
'Resistance'
For the Liberal Democrats, Norman Lamb - who had repeatedly asked for the Chequers guest list to be released only for it to be given to a Labour MP - said: "Fundamentally I believe in open government and I think secrecy breeds supsicion.
"It is absolutely staggering that it has taken so long to extract this information."It is absolutely staggering that it has taken so long to extract this information.
"The government has attempted to block the publication of these details to the Liberal Democrats at every turn and then decided to release the information to a Labour MP alongside scores of other announcements."The government has attempted to block the publication of these details to the Liberal Democrats at every turn and then decided to release the information to a Labour MP alongside scores of other announcements.
"The government introduced the Freedom of Information Act, it is remarkable to see how resistant it is to complying with it." "The government introduced the Freedom of Information Act. It is remarkable to see how resistant it is to complying with it."