Localism Bill

199: After Clause 74, insert the following new Clause— ““Freedom of information and contracts (1) Any contract for any sum over £1 million made by a relevant authority with any person after the coming into force of this section shall be deemed to include a freedom of information provision. (2) Where such a contract is to any extent performed by means of a sub-contract, that sub-contract shall be deemed to include a freedom of information provision. (3) In this section a ““freedom of information provision”” means a provision stipulating that all information relating to the performance of the contract which is held by— (a) the contractor, (b) a sub-contractor, and (c) any other person on behalf of the contractor or sub-contractor, is, notwithstanding any contrary provision, deemed to be held on behalf of the relevant authority for the purpose of section 3(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or regulation 3(2)(b) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. (4) A freedom of information provision shall not require— (a) a contractor to disclose to the relevant authority any communication between itself and a professional legal adviser in connection with the giving of legal advice to it with respect to its obligations, liabilities or rights in relation to the relevant authority under the contract; (b) a sub-contractor to disclose to the contractor any communication between a professional legal adviser and itself in connection with the giving of legal advice to it with respect to its obligations, liabilities or rights in relation to the contractor under the contract.””