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.