Central Government refuses to accept the need for freedom of information or open government laws affecting its administration. In 1985, however, the Local Government (Access to Information) Act was passed which constitutes a freedom Of information law for local government. What has been the impact of this statute on local government administration? What problems or difficulties has the legis lation caused and what lessons for good government might the law and its operation hold?
References
1.
Bartram, M. (1987) Secrets File No. 13, Community Rights Project, London.
2.
Birkinshaw, P. (1985) Grievances, Remedies and the State, ( London: Sweet and Maxwell Ltd.)
3.
Birkinshaw, P. (1986) Open Government: Freedom of Information and Local Government, Local Government Legal Society Trust.
4.
Birkinshaw, P. (1988) Freedom of Information: The Law, The Practice and The Ideal, Weidenfeld and Nicolson (forthcoming).
5.
Department of the Environment (DOE) (1986) Local Government (Access To Information) Act 1985, Circ 6/86.
6.
Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) ( 1983) Circular L.A. C (83)14
7.
House of Commons (1987) Standing Committee "C" Access to Personal Files Bill, 25 March, col. 5, H.M.S.O.
8.
Lewis, N.Seneviratne, M. and Cracknell, S. (1987) Complaints Procedures in Local Government Centre for Criminological and Socio-Legal Studies, University of Sheffield.
9.
Widdicombe, D. (1986) The Conduct of Local Authority Business Cmnd. 9797, H.M.S.O.
