|
THE PSI MARKETPLACE: WHAT LIES AHEAD
Speakers at a Locus Association seminar on Public Sector Information (PSI) on 25th January hailed the Office of Fair Trading’s recent report into public sector information and outlined what it meant for private sector companies operating in a commercial environment. Carol Tullo, Director of the Office of Public Sector Information, Mark Todd MP and Alan Griffiths of 1 Essex Court gave an informed précis of the current political and legal landscape of the marketplace and outlined what lies ahead for the commercial sector.
Carol Tullo said:
§ "The economic and efficiency benefits of PSI are not just for the private sector; the public sector can also benefit"
Mark Todd MP said:
§ "The OFT report has highlighted the importance of government held data"
§ "The potential of data to be converted into added value information has not always been understood by the public sector. Most public sector bodies have not realised the value of the data they hold and have therefore been ill-equipped either to exploit those opportunities or to work with private sector partners. Guidance to them has been incomplete and out-of-date. "
Alan Griffiths said:
- "Ultimately, the decisions at stake here are essential to the success of business."
- "The OFT report is landmark report"
- "The basic principles of this report are that there ought to be competition neutrality and equal access to unrefined information"
Richard Pawlyn, Chair of Locus said:
§ "Locus was launched one year ago. The Association was born of a group of private sector firms feeling out-gunned and over-awed by their Public Sector Information suppliers."
§ "Locus is very well placed to help private sector firms operating in this market. It is a complex market landscape and collectively firms are stronger than individually."
- ENDS -
Notes for Editors:
· 1. Locus was established in Autumn 2005 and formally launched on 26th January 2006. The Association’s President is a former Director General of the Office of Fair Trading and Oftel, Sir Bryan Carsberg.
§ 2. The Association exists to raise awareness of, and promote the development of, a healthy and competitive private sector in relation to Public Sector Information (PSI). Locus acts as a forum for exchange of information, keeps its members up to date with latest policy developments, and provides advice and guidance. Our members recognise the potential of PSI, but also the benefit of uniting to address some of the challenges and pooling resources to meet them.
§ The OFT launched a market study into the commercial use of information supplied by public sector information holders in July 2005. The study was launched to look at whether or not the way in which Public Sector Information Holders (PSIHs) supply information works well for businesses and consumers. It has further examined whether PSIHs have an unfair advantage selling on information in competition with companies who are reliant on the PSIH for that raw data in the first place.
§ 3. The full report can be found here: http://www.oft.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/25E7503B-7631-4D60-81D2-979B4BA8C9C7/0/oft861.pdf
§ Carol Tullo is the Director (2005) of the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) which operates as the principal focal point for public sector information in the UK. Carol retains under Letters Patent the titles of Controller for Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) and Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament (1997); Government Printer for Northern Ireland (1997); Queen's Printer for Scotland (1999).
§ Mark Todd is Labour Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire where he has been an MP since 1997. Prior to becoming an MP Mark Todd enjoyed a 20 year career in publishing, leaving his position as UK Operations Director of Addison Wesley Longman just before the 1997 Election. During that time he served for 12 years as a Cambridge City Councillor - spending 3 years as Leader and 5 as Deputy Leader.
§ Alan Griffiths is a barrister at 1 Essex Court where he specialises in a broad range of commercial law, public law and energy law. His practice includes commercial litigation, judicial review, arbitration and advisory work. Recommended by both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners (Administrative & Public Law and Energy Law) his work includes both competition and European Community law issues.
· 4. Enquiries: Harriet Crosthwaite: 020 7930 9788 or harriet@quintuspa.com
|
