Written question asked by Caroline Spelman (Conservative) on Friday, 10 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 2004. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what guidance the Government has issued to local government on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Answer: Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance the Government have issued to local government on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. [204980] Mr. Lammy: Throughout 2004, the Department for Constitutional Affairs has produced a number of publications to assist all public authorities in their preparations for full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. This included a Model Action Plan, outlining the steps public authorities should take to prepare for the Act; a Training Guide, containing recommendations for Freedom of Information training; a generic user specification for IT Freedom of Information monitoring systems; and a Countdown to Implementation guide, produced jointly with the Information Commissioner and the National Audit Office, outlining final steps public authorities should take to prepare for the Freedom of Information Act. In preparing this package of guidance, The Department for Constitutional Affairs worked closely with the Office of the Information Commissioner which has also issued its own guidance specifically aimed at all public authorities. These publications represent one part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs' guidance and advice on implementation that is available on the Department's Freedom of Information website (www.foi.gov.uk) that serves as a useful reference tool for all public authorities.

Secondary information