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The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 came into effect on 1 January 2005 and provides a general right of access to all types
of recorded information held by public authorities.
The Act also sets out exemptions to that right and places a number of related obligations on public authorities, particularly in relation to Records Management and Publication Schemes. Under the terms of the Act, Tayside Police is required to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme setting out the classes of information available, the manner in which the information will be published, and whether a charge will be made for the information. The purpose of a Publication Scheme is to ensure information is available, without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information pro-actively and to develop a greater culture of openness. Information not available through the Publication Scheme may be available by submitting a Freedom of Information request. Individuals already have the right to apply for personal information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998 by submitting a Subject Access Request. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 is enforced by the Scottish Information Commissioner. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is a separate piece of legislation which applies to England and Wales and is enforced by the Office of the Information Commissioner who also has responsibility for the Data Protection Act 1998 for the whole of the UK. The Scottish Information Commissioner is responsible for the approval of Publication Schemes for Scotland under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Contact details for the Scottish Information Commissioner are as follows : Scottish Information Commissioner Kinburn Castle Doubledykes Road St Andrews Fife KY16 9DS Telephone 01334 464610 Fax 01334 464611 Email enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info Website www.itspublicknowledge.info |
