"Clearly, the free availability of Ordnance Survey data is to be welcomed, " he said.

BBC: Peers urge secure future for the Ordnance Survey

Open Data campaigners claim that ministers are keener than they should be to listen to managers at the Ordnance Survey, the Land Registry and the Met Office who want to charge for their data rather than make it free.

BBC: Midata: Will the public share government's enthusiasm?