Comments on: Freedom of Information Act at risk today

By: Ellee Seymour - MCIPR, PRESS CONSULTANT, JOURNALIST, POLITICAL AND PR BLOGGER. » FoI climbdown from government

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:28:39 +0000

[...] Cross-party MPs were outraged about the proposed changes which would have limited access to the FoI Act , with many strong critics from Labour itself, which is probably why the Department for Constitutional Affairs extended its consultation, in effect, kicking it in the grass. [...]

By: Ellee Seymour - MCIPR, PRESS CONSULTANT, JOURNALIST, POLITICAL AND PR BLOGGER. » Govt plans to limit access to democratic information

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:02:10 +0000

[...] Freedom of Information Act at risk today [...]

By: cityunslicker

cityunslicker — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 22:17:35 +0000

The government that has splurged the most on public spending in 2 generations now says it has cost concerns.

By: Jean-Luc Picard

Jean-Luc Picard — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:22:04 +0000

Though newspapers produce some awful things, they have exposed some things that the government and other bodies would prefer to keep quiet. It’s the public’s right to know.

By: wayne

wayne — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 17:17:50 +0000

The prison service has been refusing to answer my request since November.

All I asked was:

“Can I have the following information for Holmehouse Prison?: How much is spent on digital TV (Sky, Freeview, NTL etc), and games consoles (Xbox, Playstation and games etc) between January 2002- October 2006.”

In Mid December they said it was causing problems and said they would have it done by january 16th. On january 16th they said:

“I had anticipated being in a position to reply to your request today, but unfortunately this has not been possible, as I am waiting to receive advice from our legal advisors. As stated previously, we are considering the application of the exemption contained section 43 of the Act, relating to information which may prejudice the commercial interests of the National Offender Management Service.

I have therefore extended the deadline to 1 February.”

That is government speak for telling me this information could show them in a bad light and they don’t want that.

On February 1st they said:

“We continue to consider your request and we apologise for not responding to you by 2nd February 2007, as previously stated.

As a result, we will not be able to provide a full response within the stipulated period. Your request is being dealt with as a matter of urgency and now aim to respond by 2nd March 2007.”

By: Welshcakes Limoncello

Welshcakes Limoncello — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:23:58 +0000

Sounds a typicak government cop-out to me.

By: james higham

james higham — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:22:58 +0000

This is a very worrying post. They are tightening the noose bit by bit. Extremely worrying that they’re becoming less accountable.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:51:20 +0000

Curmudgeon, I will keep you posted and add any updated links from the press.

By: The Curmudgeon

The Curmudgeon — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:35:41 +0000

The technical requirements of FOIA compliance (that’s what we call it here) can be a pain — I have colleagues who represent municipalities and they tell me stories about the burdens that compliance imposes — but transparency is necessary. Access and disclosure are necessary.

I am very interested in this one.

By: newmania

newmania — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:20:56 +0000

Rats you have saved your best for last .
Good background IT I have been following this one as well.Of course this was all about “Transaparent Governement “..following Tory sleaze. How times change