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Freedom of Information
14.2 Code of Practice on Access to Government
Information

14.2.1 General principles

The Code was introduced in 1994 and revised in 1997. It governs access to information held
by almost all central Government departments and their agencies, as well as many public
bodies that are subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsman – for example, the
Arts Council of England, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, parts
of the Cabinet Office, the Commission for Racial Equality, and various State
Departments.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman regularly updates a list that sets out the departments and
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bodies subject to the Code. The Parliamentary Ombudsman is appointed by the Queen as an
independent officer of the House of Commons. He remains separate from the Government
and the State, and generally receives and deals with complaints from members of the public
who have suffered ‘maladministration’ by government departments or public bodies. His
powers and responsibilities are set out in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967.

The Code will continue to regulate these departments and bodies until they fall under the
jurisdiction of the FIA. This is likely to be take place during the first phase of implementation
of the FIA, which is due to be completed by the middle of 2002. Once all the bodies
regulated by the Code are subject to the FIA, the Code will cease to have effect.

14.2.2 Access to information

The Code provides access to:

Facts and analysis of major policy decisions
Internal guidelines concerning dealings with the public
Reasons for administrative decisions
Information under the Citizen’s Charter concerning public services.

In addition, upon specific request, information relating to policies, actions and decisions
relating to each category can be obtained under the Code.

Facts and analysis of major policy decisions
Facts and analysis that the Government consider relevant and important in framing major
policy proposals and decisions will normally be made available when policies and decisions
are announced.

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The list of public bodies can be found at www.parliament.ombudsman.org.uk/pca/govdepts.htm.
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