Listen
Move to greater accountability
14/06/2009
Over 13,000 Scottish Government files which are currently closed to public viewing are to be made available by the National Archives of Scotland, Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford announced today.
The move will see files released for public viewing after 15 years rather than the current 30 years - meaning that files from the period 1979 to 1994 will be made public earlier than has previously been the case.
Mr Crawford said:
"The Scottish Government is committed to the principles that underpin Freedom of Information legislation. Principles of openness and transparency are essential parts of open democratic government and responsive public services.
"We want the public to have greater access to more information. We have already consulted on the possible extension of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act's to a number of organisations not currently covered, such as contractors supplying services traditionally provided directly by a public authority.
"Our latest decision opens another door for public access. It blows the dust from files that cover a range of major issues that have affected Scotland. They could provide threads that will be of potential interest to historians and the wider public. Some of the material will seem mundane, and some of it will seem fascinating - but the fact is that by making the files available, the public have a right to judge for themselves
"The first files will be released on International Right to Know Day on September 28. The remaining files will be released in two further stages, concluding by May next year.
"Each step we have taken has been in the direction of greater open-ness. Today's announcements takes us further in that direction."
George MacKenzie, Keeper of the Records of Scotland, said:
"We look forward to making available these historical files for public viewing. My staff are working towards release of the papers in the autumn."
NAS is an agency of the Scottish Government headed by the Keeper of the Records of Scotland. The mission of the NAS is to preserve, protect and promote the nation's records; to provide the best possible inclusive and accessible archive that educates, informs and engages the people of Scotland and the world.
Approximately 600 Scottish Government files are sent to the National Archives of Scotland for permanent preservation each year. These files are selected because of their long-term historical value.
Previous administrations kept the files held by NAS 'closed' to public viewing until 30 years had passed or they were specifically released in response to requests made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). The Scottish Government views that practice to be out of step with public expectations and will now make those files available after 15 years.
Although these files remain closed under exemptions in FOISA that have a lifespan of 30 years, the Scottish Government does not wish to rely upon exemptions for information that is 15 or more years' old. There are some exceptions to this rule (for example where files are about individuals) but the vast majority of historic Scottish Government files are now available for viewing.
The exemptions which currently are in place for 30 years relate to the following sections of FOISA:
28 - Relations within the UK
39 - Formulation of Scottish Administration policy
30 - Prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs
33(1) - Commercial interests and the economy
36 - Confidentiality
37 - Court records
40 - Audit functions
41(a) - Communications with Her Majesty, other members of the Royal Family, or with the Royal Household.
The period of time covered by the early file release means that information relating to the following wil be made available: the first Devolution proposals, the introduction of the Community Charge in Scotland; closures of traditional heavy industries (eg shipbuilding, steel and engineering); development of service and electronic sector industries; local government reorganisation; revenues and further exploitation of North Sea oil and gas fields; development of the enterprise culture; nuclear energy; and significant historical events such as the Miners' Strike in 1984 and closure of the Holy Loch naval base.