Former Premier Alex Scott cheered Government’s announcement of another step toward delivering Public Access to Information in Bermuda.Nearly ten years on from his initiation of PATI under the Progressive Labour Party, Mr Scott said he was “encouraged” to see the One Bermuda Alliance taking the baton.“When you have a transition from one government to another, I do find encouragement in the fact that it’s still alive,” Mr Scott told The Royal Gazette.After championing PATI in 2003, Mr Scott saw it pass through two subsequent PLP Premiers.“It’s still considered important enough for the new government to put it on its agenda. I would have loved to hear a commencement date, and I would have been elated to hear when we would have the finished product.“But when you’ve waited as long as I have, any movement forward is encouraging.”Premier Craig Cannonier told the House of Assembly that permanent staff would be hired in the coming fiscal year.And Mr Cannonier said that information statements — a PATI requirement — had been completed for 90 percent of government departments.The statements identify what types of documents are being held by the public authority in question, as well as the authority’s role and how information can be accessed by the public.Added Mr Scott: “I look forward to hearing a progress report as to when they hope to commence after gathering the appropriate staff.“Then they’ll be in a better position for the great event of the birth of PATI.”Asked if he would celebrate its completion, the former Premier said: “If the good Lord allows me to be here.”