The new Freedom of Information Act 2000, which was given Royal Assent in December, has been welcomed by Robert Kerr, a partner in Winchester-based solicitors Shentons, as it gives members of the public the statutory right to information held by public authorities.

The Freedom of Information Act will be implemented in stages. It is likely that public authorities currently subject to the code of practice on access to government information will be the first authorities required to comply.

Mr Kerr said: "We all know that big brother is watching us, but what information does he hold about us, and is it accurate?

"Section 1 of the new act makes it absolutely clear that if someone asks what information is being held about them by a government body they will be told.

"There are some exemptions such as for national security and if the individual should already have the information concerned available to them.

"Even information held by private companies may be accessible under the Data Protection Act 1998. The act gives individuals a right to information held about them by data controllers.

"Local businesses do not always realise they should have notified the Data Protection Commissioner that they hold personal data. Failure to do so is a criminal offence."

Anyone seeking advice on the new legislation or data protection legislation can contact Shentons.