United Kingdom

[GB] 1997 Report on Code of Practice on Access to Government Information

IRIS 1998-7:1/20

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

The UK Government has just published the fourth annual monitoring Report on the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Key points in the report are: the total number of requests for information in 1997 was 2037 (the 1996 figure was 2033); 4.2% of requests were refused (the 1996 figure was 9.1%); and 94.8% of requests were processed within a 20 day period (up from the 1996 figure of 93%). The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster stressed, in announcing the Report, that there was no diminution of the Government's commitment to publish a draft Freedom of Information Bill later this year; following which there will be a period for consultation.