> Colleagues,
>
> The implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 will have
> a profound impact on places of deposit for public records. Public records
> are held by places of deposit on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, who
> expects The National Archives to ensure that suitable arrangements are
> made by places of deposit for their compliance with the FOI Act where it
> relates to these records.
>
> The National Archives (TNA), in partnership with other government bodies
> and places of deposit for public records, has been developing procedures,
> forms and guidelines to promote and support this aim. This work is being
> led by staff in TNA's Archive Inspection Services Unit.
>
> Draft procedures for use by places of deposit in dealing with FOI requests
> about their deposited public records holdings have now been prepared, and
> are available here as a pdf document:
> http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/stories/30.htm
>
>
> It must be stressed that these draft procedures are based on current
> understanding of how the FOI Act will affect deposited public records and
> the places of deposit. The purpose of publishing the guidance at this
> draft stage is to give places of deposit and government bodies an early
> indication of the sort of procedures which are likely to need to be
> followed when dealing with requests for information held in deposited
> public records.  Further review may necessitate changes to the guidance
> before the implementation of the FOI Act
> on 1 January 2005.
>
> It must also be made clear that these draft guidelines do not offer advice
> on making specific access decisions. TNA's guidance primarily offers
> advice on the procedures which should be followed when handling access
> requests, and although aspects of the decision-making process are dealt
> with this is an area which will be fully addressed by other government
> departments. Specifically, guidance on the application of exemptions to
> different types of information will be issued later this year by the
> information Commissioner and by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
>
>
>
> Steven Jones
> Head of Archive Inspection Services
>
> The National Archives
> Kew
> Surrey
> TW 9 4DU
>
> E-mail:    [log in to unmask]
>


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