This document discusses access to information for parliamentary budget offices and independent fiscal institutions (IFIs/PBOs). There are differences in access rights depending on an organization's establishing legislation and agreements with government information providers. Issues that commonly arise include delays, lack of detail, and political obstacles to information access. Measures that can help address issues include memorandums of understanding outlining responsibilities, collaboration through working groups and points of contact, and agreed processes for escalating unresolved requests. Overall, establishing early information needs, maintaining open communication, and clarifying access rights and dispute resolution can support effective information sharing.

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
9

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 ?