HL Deb 24 July 2001 vol 626 cc194-5WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 9 July (WA 68), what programme of training has been agreed to prepare central Government's implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and what is the timetable for such training; and [HL368]

Whether it will be necessary to train Ministers and civil servants in central government departments in the practical implications of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 before it can be brought into force in respect of them. [HL371]

The Lord Chancellor

Each department will need to determine for itself what operational training—that is training relating to the procedures and processes to be used in dealing with requests for information—is needed and how to deliver that training. My officials will provide guidance to departments on the broad issues which should be covered in such training. This detailed training is best provided in the period immediately prior to the introduction of the Act's provisions to a public authority.

In the meantime my officials are providing awareness training to departments and interest groups within government. The aim of this training is to ensure that departments know what actions they need to take now to prepare for the implementation of the Act. This training began in April and will continue throughout the year, though the content of the training will change to reflect developments as they occur.

Presentations have been given to a number of departments and also to cross departmental groups including: Permanent Secretaries, the Senior Group on Data Protection and Freedom of Information, and the Government Information Service.

Proper training is essential if the public are to be able to exercise their rights effectively when the provisions of the Act are brought into force.

My officials are discussing with officials in the Centre for Management and Policy Studies in the Cabinet Office arrangements for a ministerial seminar on freedom of information later in the year.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Chancellor on 9 July (WA68), whether the Information Commissioner has made representations to them as to the period of time needed for her to acquire sufficient staff, with knowledge of the way the public sector works and appropriate investigative and project management skills, to enable her to perform the functions required under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [HL369]

The Lord Chancellor

Neither we nor the Information Commissioner can know at this stage how long it will take to recruit the staff necessary to enable her to perform the functions required under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The commissioner and my officials are working together to ensure that the Act can be implemented as quickly and effectively as possible.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 9 July (WA68), what is the relevance of the differences of the respective populations of Canada, Ireland and New Zealand to the pace of implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [HL370]

The Lord Chancellor

The number of departments and officials in central government bears some relation to the population of the state in question. For example, central government in the United Kingdom is some 15 times the size of that in the Republic of Ireland. Therefore it is reasonable to expect that it will take longer to prepare those working in central government in the United Kingdom for the implementation of legislation than in the Republic of Ireland.