Information Fair Trader Scheme

I am committed to making sure that we trade in information fairly. To show the strength of my commitment, I have challenged the Met Office to achieve and maintain an Information Fair Trader Scheme accreditation from the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) via the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).

I will insist that we follow a system of information trading which is compliant with current law and current UK Government policy. My aim is that, in principle, we can meet the needs of anyone who applies for a licence to reuse the information which we make available for re-use. We will publish any general exceptions to that aim on our web site.

We set prices for the provision of basic meteorological data and methods for pricing for our information-based products and services in line with the provisions relating to information trading contained within our business model. We will demonstrate our openness and transparency by publishing those prices or pricing methods on our web site. General exceptions to those prices or pricing methods will also be published on our web site.

I am committed to reducing the administrative burden on our customers and particularly on those who apply to reuse our Public Sector Information. I will therefore monitor the way in which other Trading Funds trade information and challenge the Met Office to use systems that are efficient and appropriate.

I will tell HMSO/OPSI about any complaints I receive that we have broken this commitment, and I will investigate them thoroughly. HMSO/OPSI will also be given freedom to investigate a complaint, with unhindered access to see the relevant staff and records.

John Hirst, Chief Executive