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Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information publishes Annual Report
Issued on behalf of: Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information
The Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information (APPSI) today publishes its fourth Annual Report. The report highlights:
* the marked increase across government in the level of interest and debate in the re-use of public sector information (PSI);
* the increase of public awareness of the issues surrounding re-use and recent coverage in the press;
* APPSI's paper to Ministers in October 2007 which outlined the need for a Government strategy on the re-use of public sector information, with proposals for the short and medium term;
* APPSI's responses to important Government studies and consultations:
- the Office of Fair Trading Market study on the Commercial Use
of Public Information
- the Cabinet Office's Power of
Information Review
* the stepping down of the Chair, Professor Richard Susskind OBE at the end of April 2008, and the appointment of the new Chair, Professor David Rhind CBE.
Former Chair of APPSI, Professor Richard Susskind OBE, said:
"2007 was a pivotal year for the UK in relation to the re-use of PSI. Above all, we saw a marked increase across central government in the level of debate over the re-use of PSI. In particular, APPSI warmly welcomed the growing interest amongst Ministers. In stepping down as Chair of APPSI, I do so firmly in the belief that PSI remains of immense economic and social significance to the UK; and I offer my best wishes to my successor - Professor David Rhind."
Chair of APPSI, Professor David Rhind, CBE, said:
"The wealth of public sector information informs and guides UK citizens and helps to keep them safe. It also fuels business and supports innovation. Unsurprisingly therefore I am delighted to be appointed as Chairman of APPSI and thank my predecessor, Professor Richard Susskind, for leading APPSI so well and smoothing the transition between us."
Justice Minister Michael Wills MP said:
"I welcome the publication of APPSI's annual report, as it reinforces the value of APPSI at this exciting time for developments in the re-use of public sector information".
Notes for Editors
1. The 2007 Annual Report of the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information was published today, 5 June 2008. Copies can be obtained via the APPSI website: http://www.appsi.gov.uk, by writing to the APPSI Secretariat, Grazia Zaffuto, The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, or by e-mailing secretariat@appsi.gov.uk
2. APPSI is a Non-Departmental Public Body, established by the Cabinet Office in April 2003. On 31 October 2006, APPSI became a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department for Constitutional Affairs (now the Ministry of Justice). APPSI's terms of reference are: to advise Ministers on how to encourage and create opportunities in the information industry for greater re-use of public sector information; to advise the Director of the Office of Public Sector Information and Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office about changes and opportunities in the information industry, so that the licensing of Crown copyright and public sector information is aligned with current and emerging developments; and to review and consider complaints under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 and advise on the impact of the complaints procedures under those Regulations. Formally, APPSI reports to Ministers annually. More information on the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information is available from its website, http://www.appsi.gov.uk
3. The Chair of APPSI from April 2003 until 2008 was Professor Richard Susskind OBE.
4. The new Chair of APPSI is Professor David Rhind CBE, who took the Chair of APPSI on 1 May 2008. A press release of Professor Rhind's appointment, and his biographical details are available on the APPSI website: http://www.appsi.gov.uk
