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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 24 December 2024
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Displaying 1830 contributions

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Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

It could well be, though, that some of the people who have served at the top of some of those organisations for a long time are simply not suited to leadership in the more transparent and accountable culture that we would all like to see across Government.

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

Okay. Let me come back to our earlier conversation about teeth.

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

No, we will not be bringing up national health service dentistry. We did that yesterday in the chamber, so we are not doing that today.

I am interested in where you feel the current legislation is lacking. You mentioned, with a slight tone of exasperation, some of the game playing in relation to FOI law as it stands. Will you elaborate on where you feel that changes in primary legislation would give you sufficient powers and the leverage that you need to bring about the change of culture that certainly I would like to see?

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

Trust in government in general, not just in Scotland but across the United Kingdom, is a pretty crucial issue at the moment. So much has happened that has led people to doubt not competence as much as trust and confidence. It is important that we get this right, for the sake of our democratic institutions and our democratic way of life. That sounds very dramatic, but that is what we are talking about.

I am concerned about your ability to resource that kind of inquiry, however narrow the route into it might be. You have two dozen staff, one office and not a huge budget. Do you have the strength of arms to be able to take on such a broad and fundamental issue as part of your role? I am asking about information, not transparency.

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

I do not think that you will.

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

The application of law.

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

That is a fair response.

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

And the Scottish Government now accepts that it has that information. We will have to leave that there, because I am sure that the convener will stop me otherwise. I am pushing the envelope, but that is all part of the transparency of the job.

You mentioned your disappointment with regard to the Government’s attitude to amending the act. Can you explore that a bit more? Where would you have liked to see a more positive response from the Government?

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

Let alone ChatGPT.

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Scottish Information Commissioner

Meeting date: 22 February 2024

Stephen Kerr

It is such a waste of time and money compared with what you suggest, which would be a far more open approach to information management.

I want to ask you about Katy Clark’s proposed member’s bill. I was intrigued by something, and I probably need you to help me understand what it means. Her proposed bill includes provisions such as the creation of a new statutory officer with designated responsibility for FOI in public authorities. I think that your office’s response to that was “Partially supportive”. I hope that no one will be offended by this, but I think that that is like being partly pregnant. Are you for it or against it? It would be useful to know. Again, I hope that no one has been offended by my reference.