XN000022-1995-06-16 — Page 8

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Information Code to be extended

The Government today (Friday) announced that the Code on Access to Information will be extended to cover a further 11 departments and one policy branch.

Those to be added to the Code's coverage on July 1 will be the Companies Registry. Correctional Services Department, Environmental Protection Department, Hospital Services Department, Information Services Department, Management Services Agency, Post Office, Printing Department, Rating and Valuation Department, Student Financial Assistance Agency, Treasury and Transport Branch.

This will bring to 21 the number of Government agencies subject to the Code, which was introduced on a pilot scheme basis on March 1.

A Government spokesman said the pilot scheme had operated smoothly over the past four months.

"Over 150 requests for information had been received by the nine branches and departments originally covered by the Code, and most of these requests had been met within the time limits laid down in the Code," he said.

"So far the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints had received no complaints of failure by departments to meet their obligations under the Code."

Copies of the Code on Access to Information are available free of charge at all District Offices, and from all departments covered by the Code.

Advice on how to submit requests for information and where to send them is also available from District Offices and from the Access to Information Officers of each department.

End/Friday, June 16. 1995