The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2001

Statutory Instruments

2001 No. 1637 (C. 56)

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2001

Made

30th April 2001

In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 87(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000(1), the Secretary of State hereby makes the following Order:

1.  This Order may be cited as the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2001.

2.  The following provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 shall come into force on 14th May 2001:

(a) section 18(2), (3), (5), (6) and (7);

(b) paragraphs 1(2), 3(2), 5, 8(1), 9(1), 11, 12, 13(3), 14(b), 15(3) and 16 of Schedule 2 (and section 18(4) so far as relating to those provisions);

(c) paragraphs 1 and 4 of Schedule 4 (and section 61 so far as relating to those provisions); and

(d) paragraphs 1, 6 and 7 of Schedule 6 (and section 73 so far as relating to those provisions)(2).

Mike O'Brien

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Home Office

30th April 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force certain provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”) on 14th May 2001. These provisions fall into five categories, as follows:

(i) provisions renaming the Data Protection Tribunal as the Information Tribunal and making consequential provision;

(ii) provisions relating to the appointment and period of office of the Information Commissioner;

(iii) provisions enabling appointments to be made to the Information Tribunal of lay members to represent the interests of individuals and public authorities under the Act, and provisions enabling the designation of persons who are to be capable of hearing appeals under section 60(1) or (4) of the Act;

(iv) provisions enabling the Secretary of State to make rules for regulating the exercise of the rights of appeal conferred by section 57(1) and (2) and section 60(1) and (4) of the Act; and

(v) provisions making minor amendments to the Data Protection Act 1998.

Certain other provisions of the Act came into force on Royal Assent (30th November 2000) and 30th January 2001 under subsections (1) and (2) of section 87 of the Act, respectively.

(1)

2000 c. 36.

(2)

Certain provisions of the Act were brought into force on Royal Assent (30th November 2000) and 30th January 2001 by sections 87(1) and (2).