MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release (No:130/07) issued by The Government News Network on 25
October 2007
A package of
measures to enhance openness and increase public access to
information, including a review of the "30-year rule"
and extending the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, has
been announced by the Prime Minister.
The review of the "30-year rule"- the date by which
government departments must transfer public records to The
National Archives and the date at which records become historical
- could lead to an increase in access to government records and
will include recommendations on reducing the release of data from
30 years.
The Government is also to consult formally on extending the
application of the Freedom of Information Act to include a range
of organisations that perform public functions.
The consultation launched today will run for three months.
A review will also be launched looking into the way we share and
protect personal information in the public and private sector. The
review and any recommendations will be produced by Richard Thomas,
the Information Commissioner and Professor Mark Walport, Director
of the Wellcome Trust, and published in the first half of 2008.
As well as plans for the two reviews and new consultation, the
Government is also publishing its response to the two
consultations carried out earlier this year on whether to amend
the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit
and Fees) Regulations 2004. The Government has listened to the
views of those who responded and decided not to proceed with
proposals to amend the regulations.
The Ministry of Justice's reply to The Constitutional
Affairs Select Committee's Report Freedom of Information: the
Government's proposals for reform is also being published today.
Notes to Editors
1. The consultation response can be found at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp2806.htm
2. The original consultation paper and supplementary paper on the
Fees regulations can be found at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/dpr2007/cp2806.htm
3. The consultation on FOI section 5 can be found at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp2707.htm
4. Richard Thomas is the Information Commissioner. The
Information Commission is the UK's independent authority
charged with promoting access to official information and
protecting personal information.
5. Dr Mark Walport Ph.D., MB. Bchir is a Director of the Wellcome
Trust. He is a member of the Council for Science and Technology,
the Government top-level independent advisory body on science and
technology policy issues.
6. The second Freedom of Information annual report was published
on 20 June 2007 and can be found at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/freedomofinformationquarterly.htm
7. The Freedom of Information Act was passed on 30 November 2000
and covers 100,000 public authorities.
8. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies to the UK
Government and to public authorities in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland. See the Scottish Executive website for the
Freedom of Information Act Scotland 2002 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/FOI
9. Further information about Freedom of Information can be found
at: http://www.foi.gov.uk
ENDS
http://www.justice.gov.uk