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18 Jul 2011 02:15 PM
Land Registry, Met Office and Ordnance Survey become part of the BIS family

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 18 July 2011

The Prime Minister announced today that responsibility for the Land Registry, Met Office and Ordnance Survey will pass to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

The Department’s Permanent Secretary, Martin Donnelly, welcomed the move, which marks a significant step towards establishment of a Public Data Corporation (PDC), plans for which were announced by the Government in January this year.

Martin Donnelly said:

"It is good to welcome the Land Registry, Met Office and Ordnance Survey to the BIS family. The talents and abilities of their staff will be a welcome addition to the Department’s teamwork to ensure sustainable economic growth across the U.K."

"Staff and customers should know that these organisations will continue to deliver a high level of service going forward."

Final decisions on membership, structure and commercial strategy of the Public Data Corporation will be taken later this year, following a consultation on PDC data policy, due to launch over the summer.

In the meantime, BIS Minister Edward Davey will jointly chair with the Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude a PDC Transition Board which will consider membership, structure and governance for the PDC.

Notes to editors:

Once a permanent Public Data Corporation Board is recruited it will be led by an independent Non-Executive Chair and will take responsibility for Public Data Corporation’s business plan and commercial issues. Members will need to be appointed through an open, competitive process. The Public Data Corporation Transition Board will not replace any of the existing boards within the organisations involved.BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Nick Evans
Phone: 020 7215 3496
nick.evans@bis.gsi.gov.uk