The information commissioner, Richard Thomas, has
said his office will be “independent, robust and responsible” in
carrying out its duties under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
as the final stages came into force on 1 January
2005.
“The right to know signals a fundamental culture change - moving
all public services away from excessive official secrecy,”
Thomas said.
“Our job is to be the referee if a request for information has
been refused. Our independence means that we can be robust in
ensuring that information is released where the new law
requires.
"This involves a presumption in favour of disclosure. In
practice, this will mean deciding whether exemptions have been
properly applied by public bodies and, in most cases, ensuring that
the public interest in disclosure is fully considered.
"However, we must be responsible in our approach, recognising
that greater openness should strengthen, not undermine, effective
government,” he said.
The act means that a great deal more information will be put into
the public domain. Unless exemptions have been properly applied,
examples where information is likely to be routinely disclosed will
include:
- research studies and the facts on which national and local
decisions are based
- details of official meetings held with outside
organisations
- the health and safety records of organisations
- environmental impact reports
- details of proposed new transport links
- proposals for mergers or closures of hospitals
- admissions policies for schools
- performance figures for government departments and local
authorities
- information about hospital complaints and the performance of
clinicians
- contracts with suppliers
- expenses paid to public servants.
The Information Commissioner has published guidance to help
public bodies handle freedom of information requests at the
commissioner’s web site, www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
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