How to waste money and alienate the people
Does anyone actually believe the government’s stated reason for curtailing the public’s right to know?
What wastes time and money is vague, ambiguous and unenforced legislation (like so many NuLabour laws). That is the problem with the current Freedom of Information Act. And rather than make the law more concise, precise and enforced, this government wants to introduce another level of convoluted bureaucracy. Requests will be rejected if a public official can prove they come from people working for the same legal body. How will they define who works for the same organisation? Well now we know. They will draft in a contingent of officials (paid for by you and I) to decide how to classify requesters. What a great way to waste time and money.
Written answers
Thursday, 8 February 2007
Vera Baird (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs) - My Department will publish comprehensive guidance on any changes to the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations, including on how to exercise discretion in deciding if a person is acting in concert or in pursuance of a campaign.
