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History of FOI in the UK

This page contains links to publications which pre-date the Freedom of Information Act, including the 'Your Right to Know' white paper, and the draft Bill. It also contains details of how to obtain other similar documents which are not available online from the DCA.

Background documents and information on the White Paper and Bill
Code of Practice on Access to Government Information

Background documents and information on the White Paper and Bill

Most significant documents from this period are available on other official websites:

Your Right to Know - full text of the 1997 White Paper
House of Commons Select Committee on Public Administration - Third Report - Report of the Public Administration Select Committee on the Government's proposals for a Freedom of Information Act.
Government's Response to the Third Report
Ad Hoc House of Lords Committee Report - Report of the ad hoc House of Lords committee on the Government's proposals for a Freedom of Information Act.
Freedom of Information Bill - as introduced in the House of Commons on 18 November 1999
Freedom of Information Bill - as passed by the Commons and introduced in the House of Lords on 6 April 2000

You may also find the following links useful:

Your Right to Know - summary of the 1997 White Paper (set out the policy intention and plans for a Freedom of Information Bill)
Government's Response to the Ad Hoc House of Lords Committee Report

Further documents are available on request from the DCA. Please email us if you would like copies of any of the following:

Background information on the preparation of the "Your Right to Know" white paper
Consultation Document on Government Proposals for a Freedom of Information Bill
Report on the Consultation on Government Proposals for a Freedom of Information Bill
Background information on the preparation of the draft Freedom of Information Bill
Minutes and papers of the Advisory Group on Openness in the Public Sector (Feb - Nov 1999)
Minutes and papers of the Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (2002 - 2004)

Code of Practice on Access to Government Information

Prior to the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, access to information held by central government organisations was handled under a non-statutory Code of Practice, monitored by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. The Code has now been completely superseded by the Freedom of Information Act.

Copy of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (reference only)