Part 1 SAccess to information held by Scottish public authorities

Right to informationS

[F17AReports on section 5 powerS

(1)In accordance with this section, the Scottish Ministers must lay before the Parliament reports about the exercise of the section 5 power.

(2)The first report is to be laid on or before 31 October 2015.

(3)Each subsequent report is to be laid no later than 2 years after the date on which the previous report is laid.

(4)A report must—

(a)state whether the section 5 power has been exercised during the reporting period, and

(b)as the case may be—

(i)explain how the power has been exercised during the reporting period (and why), or

(ii)give the reason for leaving the power unexercised during the reporting period.

(5)A report may—

(a)summarise any response to a consultation carried out during the reporting period as regards the exercise of the section 5 power,

(b)indicate any intention to exercise the power in the future,

(c)include such additional information as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

(6)In this section—