I Introduction

This report presents the results of a consultancy study undertaken by Coopers & Lybrand on behalf of Ordnance Survey. The purpose of the study was to analyse the economic factors involved in the collection, dissemination, integration and pricing by government of its geospatial data and information.

Work undertaken

Our report is based on a series of interviews with UK government information providers, information resellers, groups concerned with the development of information policy, and national mapping organisations. In addition, research has been conducted into the key policy issues and thought given to applying the underlying economic principles to information, particularly geospatial information, issues.

The programme of work has enabled us to pull together key findings from across disparate areas of government and to summarise the current policy position on information collection and provision. This document summarises these key findings.

Structure of the report

The substantive sections of this report cover:

• key characteristics of information and the underlying rationale for government involvement with this area of the economy;
• current UK government policy towards the provision of and charging for information;
• a review of the UK market for information collected by government;
• comparisons with the arrangements for provision of geospatial information in certain other countries; and
• a brief review of the key economic issues associated both with pricing by government-owned organisations and with the regulation of privatised monopolies.