LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRECY SIR,—Mr. Betjeman, right though he may be
in his strictures on local authorities for secrecy about their affairs, should not forget that the provincial press has been fighting this battle for many years. It is due largely to the efforts of individual editors of local newspapers that many councils have been persuaded to open their committee meetings to the press and/or issue their committee minutes in ad- vance of the statutory confirming (or otherwise) meeting for publication and comment. It is publicity in the local paper that is the greatest safeguard against secrecy in local government (and elsewhere for that matter, e.g. magistrates' court hearings) and Mr. Betjeman and his colleagues should lend their efforts to bringing the new Admission of the Press Bill before Parliament.—Yours faithfully,
Shields Gazette, South Shields
FRANK STANIFORTH
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