Props to Alex at the Impact blog for spotting FOI’s blogpost about the Freedom of Information Act being amended to encompass the private sector too.
In response to a question by Lewes Lib Dem MP Norman Baker Jack Straw indicated that the act would be extended to cover the nominally private bodies that excercise public functions. Hopefully this will prevent the success of the government’s current tactic of hiding away embarrassing information in unaccountable ‘private’ companies. The usual safeguards of confidentiality costs etc. still exist.
Yea except they will still have the clause about not disclosing things which may put them at an economic disadvantage won’t they? Meaning the Government could still hide information by getting third party private companies to implement projects. So long as the private company is also supplying the private sector then anything they do for the government, could potentially put them at a disadvantage in the private sector if reveled.
E.G. Crapita and Biometric UK LTD join forces to build the government ID card database, Joe blogs wants to know how much they are charging for the new Iris Scan 2000tm. Using FOE’s new powers he submit his request to Craipita, only to have it denied because they also supply the Iris Scan 2000tm to private companies and disclosing the price the government might undermine their ability to compete.
Essentially nothing will change in the structure of the legislation. It would be no less effective than at present unless they throw some extra bollocks - always possible. The Information Commissioner has been moderately robust in slapping down bogus attempts to hide behind commercial confidentiality.
Good Evening geeklawyer
I returned to my Staterooms… mildly over refreshed (it was a long week)… and found that I had to respond to posts on my ‘Beard Growing’ post on my blawg.
I then had to have another glass of Rioja and write about the month of january.
I hope to be able to return to your nightclub next Friday night… after liberating a bottle of Rioja from the hands of the Bourbons in Spain.
the Lady Robinson’s blog is excellent… and, I see, that you are making ‘good progress’ - as we bikers like to call it.
I too was refreshed but I can never manage to do anything other than collapse into bed; your application is most inspiring.
Capitals all over the place… mea culpa…
I appear to have run out of juice… a trip to the vintner.. not tonight, of course… but… on the morrow…. Cry God… for Harry St George..and the England Rugby team… for they meet The Welsh again today… and it is not a foregone conclusion.
You must remember… that I am a Scot… - but I do support England when they are not trying to win the Calcutta Cup back from Scotland.