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SEEKING YOUR VIEWS Freedom of Information - draft Publication Scheme PLEASE NOTE: THE PERIOD TO GIVE YOUR COMMENTS HAS NOW CLOSED We are seeking your comments on our draft Publication Scheme, which is part of the new Freedom of Information laws. As you may be aware, the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 provides that public bodies such as the Board shall adopt and maintain a publication scheme and in doing so must have regard to the public interest in allowing public access to information held. The scheme must specify the classes of information we publish, the manner in which the information is published (e.g. on our website) and whether it is available to the public free or on payment of a charge. The Board’s draft scheme is currently with the Scottish Information Commissioner for consideration and approval and we are also taking the opportunity to seek feedback on it. We are particularly interested in whether the scheme is clear and whether there are any additional items that you would like to see included, but comments on any aspects of the scheme would be welcomed. If you are able to offer us any comments it would be helpful if you could get them to us 29 October 2004. Please send them to: Ms Janet Nixon Alternatively you can send your comments by: You can also fax your comments to: 0131 220
4878
The draft scheme on our website is in Adobe pdf format - read more if you need help in using this format. If you wish to request a printed copy of the scheme, contact the Board's Communications Department, direct tel 0131 240 1985 or email general@slab.org.uk
About Freedom of Information On 1 January 2005 the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FoI Act) will come into effect. The Act aims to increase openness and accountability in government and across the public sector by ensuring that people have the right to get access to information held by Scottish public authorities, including the Scottish Legal Aid Board. You will be able to see and question how such bodies work and how they make their decisions. The Act is available online at www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2002/20020013.htm It introduces a statutory right of access by any individual to all types of recorded information held by a wide range of Scottish public authorities. The Board will have to give these rights of access from 1 January 2005. The FOI Act will be promoted and enforced by
Kevin Dunion, the first Scottish Information Commissioner. He
will be Scotland’s
first independent enforcer of freedom of information, with legal
powers to ensure the public’s right of freedom of information
is upheld. The Commissioner's website is www.itspublicknowledge.co.uk
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