HL Deb 07 May 2002 vol 634 cc157-8WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the estimated costs of training Ministers and civil servants in preparation for the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [HL3940]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)

Officials from my department regularly give presentations or speak on training courses organised by other departments. I estimate that the direct cost to my department of this activity in financial year 2001–02 was £50,000. Departments would have incurred additional costs in organising and providing facilities for these events.

We have also completed a series of regional presentations to the wider public sector. The estimated cost of these events was £10,000.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the current plans for the training of Ministers and civil servants in preparation for the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [HL3941]

The Lord Chancellor

Officials in my department intend to run a series of in-depth workshops in the autumn to follow up the regional seminars that have just been completed.

My officials will continue to speak at awareness-raising seminars in a wide range of departments, on the Civil Service College course on FOI and at courses and conferences arranged by other organisations.

As part of the FOI training programme throughout central government, my department is running a programme of awareness training. This will continue in the run-up to the access rights coming into force on 1 January 2005. We will also be putting systems in place for dealing with requests and training for staff on dealing with FOI requests in 2004.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What training has been completed by Ministers and civil servants in preparation for the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [HL3942]

The Lord Chancellor

A seminar for Ministers was held on 25 February 2002 and Michael Wills MP, Parliamentary Secretary in my department, has almost completed a series of regional seminars to raise awareness of the Act at a strategic level in public authorities.

Officials from the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Division in my department continue to undertake awareness-raising seminars. These have been held in a wide range of departments, including the Cabinet Office, the Home Office, the Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Civil Service, as well as in my department. Officials also speak at the Civil Service College course on FOI and have spoken on courses and conferences arranged by other organisations.

As part of the awareness training programme throughout central government, my department has held nine seminars for Lord Chancellor's Department staff. So far, 375 staff have attended such a seminar.