To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how the European Directive on the re-use of public sector information is applied to private sector bids for public sector data to be used to build added-value services; and if she will make a statement. (76638)

The overriding aim of the European Directive on the re-use of public sector information, and the Regulations that implemented the Directive in the UK (SI2005/1515) was to encourage the re-use of public sector information and stimulate the growth of the information industry and the development of value added information products and services. The key theme of the Regulations is on improving transparency, fairness and consistency. The framework set out in the Regulations is underpinned by a robust complaints process. This will help the private sector ascertain what information is available for re-use and the terms of re-use.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment she has made of the performance of the Office of Public Sector Information in resolving concerns about access to public sector data for the purposes of developing added-value services; and if she will make a statement. (76639)

The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) has the policy lead on the re-use of public sector information, in accordance with the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations (2005 No. 1515) which came into force on 1 July 2005. Since then OPSI has made a significant contribution in sharing best practice across the public sector. This includes developing an on-line licence that can be used across the whole of the public sector, developing an on-line assessment tool which gauges the effectiveness of public sector organisations in meeting their obligations, and speaking to over 400 public sector organisations about their new responsibilities. OPSI has also played a key role in setting standards of compliance and in the resolution of disputes. These initiatives help to encourage and facilitate the re-use of public sector information in the context of value added information products and services.