Explanatory Notes

Freedom of Information Act 2000

2000 CHAPTER 36

30th November 2000

Commentary on Sections

Part III: General functions of Secretary of State, Lord Chancellor and Information Commissioner

Section 48: Recommendations as to good practice

165.This section enables the Commissioner to take action where an authority’s practices do not conform to the Secretary of State’s or the Lord Chancellor’s code of practice. He may issue a practice recommendation specifying the steps the authority should take to conform, but must consult first with the Keeper of Public Records when the practice recommendation relates to a failure to conform with the Lord Chancellor’s code of practice and is issued in respect of records which are public records for the purposes of the Public Records Act 1958 or with the Deputy Keeper of the Records of Northern Ireland for public records for the purposes of the Public Records Act (Northern Ireland) 1923.