UK Information Commissioner visits National Assembly for Wales.

The UK’s new Information Commissioner will visit the National Assembly for Wales today (24 November).

Christopher Graham will meet with Assembly Members to talk about the work of the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The visit will build on the work that the Assembly has already done with the Information Commissioner’s Office on both data protection and freedom of information.

“I am well aware of the excellent working relationship that has been developed between my officials and the staff from the Information Commissioner’s Office here in Cardiff,” said Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM.

“And we want to continue this close working relationship which is why we, as an institution, need to adopt an open approach in what we do in terms of sharing the information that we create.

“Our desire to adopt such an approach was demonstrated by our response to requests for information about the expenses of Assembly Members made under the Freedom of Information Act last year.

“This provided clear easily accessible information to the media and the public and was well received and I believe that this has led to an increase in the confidence of the people of Wales.”

Christopher Graham took over as Information Commissioner in June this year.

While in 2003 Anne Jones was appointed as the Assistant Commissioner for Wales.

“As the new Information Commissioner and Chief Executive of the ICO, it is my job to uphold information rights in the public interest, promote openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. I am looking forward to meeting officials and politicians to explore how best we can make further improvements so that information rights become a reality for more people in Wales.”