(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order brings into force certain provisions (“the publication scheme provisions”) in section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”) for certain public authorities. An earlier commencement order (S.I. 2002/2812 (c. 86)) commenced the publication scheme provisions for other public authorities.
Section 19(1) to (4) of the Act places obligations on public authorities in relation to publication schemes. Articles 2, 3 and 4 of this Order bring the publication scheme provisions into force on 30th October 2003, 29th February 2004 and 30th June 2004 respectively, for the public authorities specified in those Articles. All public authorities will be subject to the publication scheme provisions by 30th June 2004, with the exception of that listed in paragraph 17 of Schedule 1 to the Act and the consultative Civic Forum referred to in section 56(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.