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Announcement regarding extension of coverage of FOI(S)A

The Scottish Government has today (17 November 2008) published a discussion paper on the possible extension of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act. The paper seeks views on whether the Scottish Government should use the powers under section 5 of the FOISA to extend coverage of the Act to:

• Contractors who provide services that are a function of a public authority
• Registered social landlords
• Local authority trusts or bodies set up by local authorities
  

Responses are invited by 12 January 2009.

The Minister for Parliamentary Business, Bruce Crawford explained:

"The organisations we are looking at in terms of coverage have not been chosen at random. They are bodies about whom concerns over a lack of coverage have consistently been raised with us. The concerns may have arisen because of changes in the way public services are delivered - for example the contracting out of services traditionally provided directly by a public authority.

"Discussions will take place before any decision is taken to formally consult. But formal consultation is not a rubber-stamping exercise. Any extension of coverage needs to be measured and appropriate."

Mr Crawford also announced that the Government would be pro-actively publishing Ministerial car travel and diary information. In addition, the Minister announced the publication of the latest Scottish Government Annual Report on request handling.

See
Discussion Paper - Coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
Freedom of Information Annual Report January-December 2007
News release 17/11/08

Full post as published by UK Freedom of Information Act Blog on November 17, 2008 (boomark / email).