Scottish Government considers FOI extension to private companies | OUT-LAW.COM
Scottish Government considers FOI extension to private companies OUT-LAW News, 03/07/2008 The Scottish Government is considering extending freedom of information (FOI) legislation to cover private bodies which perform public functions. One FOI expert says, though, that most of its suggestions would require no change to the law. The move is intended to take account of the fact that public bodies are increasingly using private companies and commercial agreements to carry out functions that are essentially public. FOI laws were passed in order to open publicly funded bodies up to public scrutiny. Parliamentary Business Minister Bruce Crawford said that he would be travelling to Wales and England to discuss the move with the Welsh and UK Governments before making a decision about a formal consultation. He identified three groups who would be targeted by a change in the law: registered social landlords; contractors who provide public services that are a function of a public authority; and local authority trusts or bodies set up by local authorities.
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