§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date her Department established a working group of officials to prepare her Department for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and on what dates this committee has met since it was set up. [14766]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Department's strategy paper for implementation of the Freedom of Information Act includes provision for a forum of officials to help in formulating policy and guidance especially involving their own areas of work. The intention is to establish the forum early in the new year.
In the meantime, the Department has been active in preparing for implementation by developing and commencing a training and awareness programme, setting up a dedicated intranet site, alerting our non-departmental public bodies to their legal responsibilities, and holding discussions with key stakeholders on the development of the publication scheme.