The Freedom of Information Act came into force on 1 July 2006. It is intended to promote transparency with regard to the purpose, organisation and activities of the federal administration, while guaranteeing access to official documents produced after 1 July 2006. The principle of freedom of information does not apply to deliberations or documentation concerning meetings held by the parliamentary committees and delegations, which shall remain confidential (cf. Art. 47 of the Parliament Act in relation to Art. 4 of the Freedom of Information Act). The Act applies to the Parliamentary Services only insofar as they are not acting directly for the Federal Assembly, its agencies or its members. It is therefore only valid with regard to documents concerning the administrative activities of the Parliamentary Services.