The Freedom of Information Act became law on 30 November 2000. It aims to foster a culture of openness in Government. The Act establishes a right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities and imposes obligations on public authorities to disclose information, subject to a range of exemptions. The Act will be operated fully by each of England's nine Regional Development Agencies from January 2005.  
 
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 individuals already have the right to access their own information held on computer, and in some paper files. The Freedom of Information act will extend these rights to allow access to all types of information which public bodies hold, whether personal or non - personal. However the public body will not be required to release any information to which any of the exemptions in the Act apply. A full list of exemptions can be found at the Department of Constitutional Affairs. 
 
An important feature of the Act is the requirement for each public authority to produce a publication scheme setting out what information it will publish as a matter of course, how and when it will do so, and whether there is a charge for the information supplied.

The South West RDA has its own publication scheme. There is a separate publication scheme for the South West Industrial Development Board.  
 
If you would like to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act or the Environmental Information Regulations you can email your request to foi@southwestrda.org.uk