M1992-08 Pricing Access to Government-held Information

As you are aware, the Government holds much information on computer databanks or in manual systems. Agencies often provide this information to the public, other government agencies or private retailers/value adders, and usually levy charges for such services. It has come to my attention that the policies according to which agencies charge for access to Government-held information may not be consistent. An audit is necessary to enable consideration to be given to the desirability or otherwise of adopting a more consistent approach across portfolios.Accordingly, a survey is to be conducted to elicit the range of policies relating to the pricing of access to information under which agencies currently operate. The survey has been designed to assist in ascertaining:what type of information is produced for sale and for whom; on what basis prices are set for each category of information in 1; and the degree to which the revenue generated in 2 covers costs. To assist in undertaking this government-wide survey, I would appreciate you ensuring that copies of the attached schedules are forwarded to all agencies within your portfolio and are returned to The Cabinet Office by no later than 17 April 1992. Each agency's return should include the name and telephone number of the appropriate contact officer for this issue.The contact officers for the survey are Marion Bennett (The Cabinet Office, Ph: 228-4812) and Ray Annson (The Treasury, Ph: 228-3429). Yours sincerely Nick Greiner