03 November 2006
The Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information has been transferred to the Department for Constitutional Affairs in an attempt to tidy up responsibilities for information.
A non-departmental public body, Appsi has worked with the Cabinet Office to try to encourage greater re-use of information.
One of its key messages is greater coherence on the collection, maintenance and dissemination of public sector information.
Appsi chair Professor Richard Susskind said he looked forward to working with the DCA. 'It makes sense for us now to be advising the DCA directly, given the department's related responsibilities for freedom of information and the National Archives,' he said.
'This move wisely brings the preservation of public information, access to information and the re-use of information under one departmental umbrella.'
Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer added: 'Between 15% and 25% of commercial information products and services are based on information held by the public sector.
'I look forward to working closely with Appsi.'
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