The Office of Government Commerce has published two
Gateway reviews - independent assessments - of the ID Cards scheme
following afour-year battleto keep them
secret.
The move follows a
ruling by the Information Tribunal, which demolished the OGC's
arguments for hiding the reviews in a landmark ruling on 19
February.
The decision marks the first time the OGC has published Gateway
reviews, previously regarded as too sensitive to place in the
public domain.
Computer Weekly has campaigned for Gateway reviews to be
published, and particularly for the two early assessments on the ID
Cards scheme.
The OGC says that its decision to release the reviews was in
part because of the "exceptional nature of the public interest in
the ID cards programme, combined with the age of the reports in
question". The two "Gate 0" reviews were carried out in 2003 and
2004.
Other requests under the Freedom of Information Act for Gateway
reviews of, for instance, the NHS IT programme - NPfIT - have been
on hold pending a decision over the release of the ID Cards Gateway
reviews. It may be more difficult for OGC lawyers to argue for
continued secrecy on the results of these reviews.
The OGC, however, has pointed out that neither the Information
Tribunal nor the Information Commissioner have ever argued that all
Gateway reviews should be disclosed. Government departments have to
consider each request under the Freedom of Information Act on its
merits.
Confidentiality
Gateway reviews are carried out on a confidential basis which,
says the OGC, allows interviewees to speak frankly and openly to
reviewers about any problems facing the project or programme.
The OGC said today [19 March 2009] that though it is releasing
two of the Gateway reviews on ID Cards it will continue to operate
a Ministry of Justice "working assumption" which gives government
departments legal arguments to cite in keeping the reviews
secret.
The OGC said: "It is felt that general disclosure of key Gateway
information would undermine its effectiveness, and the Ministry of
Justice's Working Assumption looks to balance the interests of
transparency with safeguarding the integrity of the process.
"However, OGC accepts the Information Tribunal's decision that
the exceptional nature of the public interest in the ID cards
programme, combined with the age of the reports in question, is
such that these specific reports should be disclosed, without
affecting the Ministry of Justice's Working Assumption which will
continue to govern OGC's approach to the disclosure of Gateway
Reports under FOI."
Nigel Smith, chief executive of the OGC, said: "OGC's approach
to FOI will continue to aim to safeguard the interests of
transparency whilst maintaining the integrity of the Gateway
process.
"Introduced in 2001 as a mandatory tool for central Government,
OGC Gateway reviews have made a real contribution to the successful
delivery of public services and to date over 2,000 reviews have
been completed.
"The OGC Gateway process provides a valuable, independent
perspective on issues facing the internal team managing the project
or programme reviewed, and an external challenge to the robustness
of plans and processes.
"Last year, 96% of those responsible for government's largest
programmes and projects surveyed revealed the reviews already had a
positive impact in their department's plans to achieve a successful
outcome.
"Our commitment to transparency and public accountability is
evident in the emphasis we have placed on publishing the results of
a wide range of OGC activities, such as the Procurement Capability
Reviews and delivery plans on sustainable procurement and
operations on the government estate.
"Gateway reviews on their own cannot guarantee successful
delivery; but they form one very effective part of an overall
assurance framework which is proving very successful in improving
delivery confidence."
What is in the reviews >>
Key findings of the 'secret' ID cards Gateway reviews FOI release:
see Tony Collins' blog post.
Home Office ID Cards Programme Gate 0 Report June 2003
>>
Home Office ID Cards Programme Gate 0 Report June 2004
>>
Read
more about Gateway reviews and the ID cards project on Tony
Collins' blog >>