Scots get second chance at info freedom measure

HUMAN rights campaigners have said that the Scottish parliament has a unique chance to make vital changes as to how the government's recently published Freedom of Information Bill will be implemented in Scotland.

Activists at the Scottish Human Rights Centre, in Glasgow, will be presenting a radical bill to the parliament in June in a bid to help the country lead the way in providing access to information. The changes, they say, could also provide a valuable model for the rest of the United Kingdom.

The SHRC has pointed out that a 1997 white paper allowed the parliament to determine its own approach to "openness and freedom of information within devolved areas". The proposal, in effect, means Scotland could have two Freedom of Information acts. The main proposals listed by the SHRC include: l the act should cover information, not just recorded documents. l the act should cover prisons, not just NHS trusts, local government and privatised utilities; l the act should cover all information held by the police, in line with the conclusions of the Lawrence Inquiry's Macpherson report; l exemptions should be kept to a minimum, unless "substantial harm" can be proved by its release; l all exemptions should be subject to public interest override. Douglas Hamilton, of the SHRC, said MSPs could make amends for the general failings of the bill: "Freedom of information is long overdue in this country. "The secrecy with which successive governments and other public bodies have traditionally operated is unacceptable in a democratic society. "The ability to obtain information on the operation of public bodies is essential if citizens are to be in a position where they can usefully contribute to the development of their society." Human rights campaigner Scott Wilson, who has been working on the bill, which will be delivered to the SHRC executive committee in two weeks time, claims act would help preserve the idea that "open government is good government". "The government's white paper, for example, suggests that only the administrative functions of the police be covered. It will, therefore, exclude information relating to the investigation and prosecution functions of the police. But we believe the act should cover all information held by the police. "We want a radical approach and aim to go as far as we can. We have the chance to open up the government, which is part of a modern society. People should be able to find out how government works without being met by this curtain of secrecy. "The government don't have to tell you anything about the decision process but I think we live in a society where we are intelligent enough to be able to handle details on how decisions are made." Scott argues that the UK has fallen behind its Continental neighbours in terms of access to information, but that the proposed changes would help to ensure parity within the European Union. "If you take a country such as Sweden, they have had freedom of information laws in place for 100 years or more. If the Swedes can have them, what is stopping us? "We have just elected a Scottish parliament which claims it will be a new open era in terms of government. "By passing this bill they have a chance to prove it."

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