Public bodies will have new access responsibilities

A report for the Scottish Information Commissioner found that 84% of bodies were positive that they would meet the 1 January 2005 deadline.

However, commissioner Kevin Dunion said a "significant effort" must still be made to ensure compliance.

The majority of information must be made available under the legislation.

The study, carried out by Craigforth Consultancy Research for the commissioner and The Stationery Office, found that 84% of authorities surveyed were "very" or "fairly" confident of being in compliance.

A significant effort in staff training and records management still has to be made Kevin Dunion Information commissioner

Eighty three per cent of staff believed it would have a positive impact on their organisation and an equal percentage said it would make public bodies more accountable.

However, 10% said the new act would have a negative impact.

Mr Dunion said: "Our research reflects a positive response by Scottish authorities and confirms other indications that, so far, we are on track to implement the new legislation on the timetable set down.

Electronic documents

"However, a significant effort in staff training and records management still has to be made to ensure that from 1 January 2005 all requests for information, whether from the public, media, or business, receive a quick and full response."

People can request every piece of information held by a public body, including paper and electronic documents, closed circuit television footage and maps.

Exemptions exist in cases of national security or where law enforcement might be jeopardised but information can still be released if it is in the public interest.