Virtual meeting of the PBO Network - Session 3

1. OECD meeting of Network of
Parliamentary Budget Officials and
Independent Fiscal Institutions
10 September 2020
Access to information

2. Access to information
across the IFI/PBO network
• What differences are there and why?
• What issues and challenges are there with accessing
information?
• What measures are most likely to avoid or address these
issues?
2

3. Information access rights
• IFIs may have legislation
governing access to information
• There may be a Memorandum of
understanding between the IFI
and government/information
provider
• There may be both legislation and
an MoU
• There may be neither
3

4. Contrasts go beyond formal
access rights, and may depend
on…
4
• The nature of the IFI’s activities and responsibilities and the context in which
the IFI and its responsibilities were established
• What rights and powers are thought to be required to fulfil those
responsibilities
• The extent of mutual interest and co-operation, and investment by
government and others in collecting and providing information
• The degree of development of effective relationships and channels of
communication between IFIs and information providers

5. Examples of contrasts….
Austrian PBO Canadian PBO
• Setup under legislation. Under legislation
“any information provided must be free of
charge and timely”
• Access to numerous government databases
• MOUs reached with many public service
departments on information provision
• Recourse to Speaker if required set out in
law
• No governing legislation or MOU
• Sometimes delays in getting
information, commentary or
detail
• No formal register of information
requests
• No formal escalation process
5

6. What sorts of issues with
information access
commonly arise?
• Delays in providing information
• Lack of detail
• Redactions, data protection or privacy considerations
• Information doesn’t currently exist or is not collected
• Resourcing or other practical issues
• Political obstacles
• Difficulties in resolving disputes

7. What seems to
work best? where there is
• A good informal working relationship
and a culture of co-operation
• shared planning and good
understanding of timeframes
• Recognition of value and resource
required
• Clarity over roles and powers
• Lack of political conflict

8. 11 September, 2020 8
A Memorandum of understanding
(MoU) may be helpful
.
Full Image Slide
It should ideally set out:
• What information the
arrangement covers;
• Timescales for provision of
information;
• The form in which information is
provided;
• Who the arrangement applies to;
• Respective responsibilities;
• Dispute resolution; and
• How the arrangement can be
amended or revoked.

9. Collaboration and co-operation
• Frequent informal liaison meetings
• Working groups
• Designated contact points
• Informal working level contacts
• Networks
• Joint planning for events.
• Meeting new appointees when they arrive
• Secondments and staff exchanges
• Seminars and training events
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10. Sometimes escalation…or the
prospect of escalation...is
necessary
• Formal, public, escalation is rarely an option of first choice
• But an agreed internal process of escalation can be helpful
• If the IFI does not have specific powers, sometimes wider Parliamentary
powers can be exercised to release information
• There are occasions where formal objection or challenge is the only real
option and may be beneficial in the long run. Often seen as a “nuclear “
option

11. Some general conclusions
• Establishing information needs at an early stage is key
• Informal frequent two way contact at all levels is crucial
• Rights of access to information are likely to be supported by an
Mou or similar
• Tracking timeliness and quality of responses may help identify
and help engagement on supply problems
• Well understood channels of communication for non or late
supply of information can help
• Parliament may need to be involved
• Other sources of data may need to be identified

12. Houses of Parliament
Westminster
SW1A 0AA
+44 (0)20 7219 3000
@ukparliament
parliament.uk
Thoughts,
comments or
questions on
the issues
raised in the
paper ?