Part 3 – The Scottish Information Commissioner
7.This Part creates the office of “Scottish Information Commissioner” (the Commissioner). It places a duty on the Commissioner to promote good practice and Scottish public authorities’ compliance with the Act, their publication schemes and codes of practice. The Commissioner is also obliged, where he or she considers it expedient, to disseminate information to the public about the operation of the freedom of information (FOI) regime. The Commissioner is permitted to charge fees for services provided. This Part also enables the Commissioner to make “practice recommendations” specifying what a Scottish public authority should do to comply with the codes of practice, and requires the Commissioner to lay annual reports before the Scottish Parliament.
