Now Cabinet papers to be released after just 20 years

FREEDOM of information campaigners have welcomed a decision to allow Cabinet papers to be made public after 20 years.

A review recommended in January 2009 that all official documents should be released after 15 years. But Prime Minister Gordon Brown indicated that he favoured a 20-year delay, ten years earlier than at present.

He also said that Cabinet papers and documents relating to communications with the Royal Family would be protected by an exemption from the new arrangements.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw revealed ministers had dropped their objection to the early release of material relating to Cabinet meetings.

He said: "The importance attached to the principle of openness means that greater protection should only be introduced if it is essential to maintaining the constitutional position of collective responsibility."

Campaign for Freedom of Information director Maurice Frankel

said: "We are extremely pleased that the Prime Minister has decided to drop the proposed Cabinet exemption."