G8 info could be released
4 Oct 05
Ministers considering G8 papers as part of freedom of information review
The Executive is to consider making information about the G8 Summit public as part of a review of the freedom of information (FOI) laws.
Certain information about the event, which took place at the Gleneagles Hotel in July, was withheld from publication under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act in the interests of national security. However, now that the event is over, ministers are considering whether this information should still be exempt.
A wider review of the operation of the Act, which came into effect on 1 January 2005, is now underway. Other proposals being looked at include a review of the fees for FOI requests.
Around 10,000 organisations are covered by the Act, but ministers will also be looking at widening that to possibly include housing associations or private prisons.
Margaret Curran, the Parliamentary Business Minister, said feedback on the FOI laws to date had generally been positive.