In January it was announced that the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee would undertake formal post-legislative scrutiny of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. The Committee is now seeking views on the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and is inviting submissions to reach it by 5pm on Friday 10th May 2019. The call for views asks the following five questions:
- In your view, what effects has the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) had, both positive and negative?
- Have the policy intentions of FOISA been met and are they being delivered? If not, please give reasons for your response.
- Are there any issues in relation to the implementation of and practice in relation to FOISA? If so, how should they be addressed?
- Could the legislation be strengthened or otherwise improved in any way? Please specify why and in what way.
- Are there any other issues you would like to raise in connection with the operation of FOISA?
It is not necessary to answer all five questions and the Committee is also inviting other information relevant to the remit.
Once the Committee has received the written evidence, it will consider it all and will thereafter decide who it wishes to take oral evidence from. It is expected that the oral evidence sessions will take place towards the end of the year.
We are able to provide advice and assistance in connection with a range of Freedom of Information matters, including appeals against decisions of both the Scottish and UK Information Commissioners. If you would like to do discuss a Freedom of Information, or any other Information Law, matter with us then you can contact Alistair Sloan on 0141 229 0880. Alternatively, you can send him an E-mail.