THE Isle of Man can only proceed with a Freedom of Information Act if the government can find the money to pay for it.

That was the response in the House of Keys this morning from Chief Minister Allan Bell who said it would be “irresponsible” to introduce a freedom of information law in the current financial climate without first clarifying how much public money it will cost.

Answering a question from South Douglas MHK Kate Beecroft, Mr Bell said an impact assessment was proposed to establish the full financial implications of the legislation. The exercise would be given high priority and he would make a statement on progress to the February 2012 sitting of Tynwald.

In the meantime, the existing Code of Practice on Access to Government Information would be strengthened as a provisional measure so that the recommendations of the independent Code Commissioner (the High Bailiff) would become binding on government departments.

Mr Bell said: “I intend to strengthen the code so that departments and other bodies are required to comply fully and without demur with any determination made by the Commissioner.

“This change reflects the recommendation by the previous Commissioner in his 2009 annual report to Tynwald and I hope that such a move will be welcomed by members and the public alike.

“The Council of Ministers is committed to the responsible extension of the public’s right to government information and this commitment builds upon the significant advances that have been made in this regard in recent years.”

Mr Bell said the Freedom of Information bill introduced into the previous House of Keys had not been accompanied by a full impact assessment so the cost of the legislation was unknown at present.

He said the only indication of cost available came from an assessment in Jersey which estimated the cost of implementing the Freedom of Information Act there at an initial £5.6m with an annual running cost of £1.3m a year.