URGENT

BNRR ACT NOW!!

As you will probably have heard the Courts have ruled that it was illegal for John Prescott to refuse legitimate requests under the Environmental Information Act (1992) to see the contract (called the Concession Agreement) for the Birmingham Northern Relief Road.

The High Court ruled that parts of the document must be released by him and there are others parts where he has a discretion. According to the court only a few specifically named parts of the concession are truly commercially confidential and he has to keep secret.

His layers accepted the ruling and Baroness Hayman, a Minister in his department, told the press on 23rd July 1998 :- " the assumption will be that [new road] contracts to which the department is party will in future be made available on request once they have been signed." (See press notice over, for further information)

It is now up to John Prescott whether he releases this contract or holds back while Midland Expressway appeal against the courts. The Alliance need this document to further their case to stop the road. In particular they need to see the cancellation charges to see if they are legal.

In your letter praise the department for accepting the Judge's decision, but tell your MP you want him/her to ask John Prescott to release the concession agreement, including the cancellation charges, immediately because of:-

• his commitment to open government.
• public concern over compensation payments and other financial matters in the contract.
• the need for the High Court to hear the Alliance's outstanding challenge on the road.

You can contact your MP at The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. If you are unsure who your MP is ring:- 0171 219 3000 and ask for information re your MP. or Click Here to find your MP on the Web.

There is a ready made letter that you can print out by selecting the Print command from your browser's File menu, if you do not want to write your own.

Published by the Alliance Against the BNRR.