Home Office reveals FOI policies
An email sent by mistake from the Home Office to the BBC has revealed
that freedom of information requests are often first reviewed by
ministers.
The document also shows how such requests are first assessed for their
controversy level.
A final decision is then made on whether or not to disclose information.
The Information Commissioner'
Office of its obligation to comply with Freedom of Information
legislation.
The document sent to the BBC separates requests into those that have to
be seen by a minister before information is released, and those that do
not.
It lists Freedom of Information requests made in September and makes
clear whether the request has come from the media.
This is despite the Freedom of Information Act stating that applicant's
identities should not affect decisions.
Next to one of the of the applications listed is confirmation that the
Labour Party is happy for information regarding the number of work
permits it has issued to be disclosed.
Another, whose controversy level was assessed as medium, asked for the
cost of bonuses made to the executive team of the Criminal Records'
Bureau to be made public.
In that case, only a partial disclosure was recommended.
The Home Office says the procedures revealed by the email keep ministers
properly informed about what is being made public, and that the
identities of applicants never affect FOI decisions.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.
Published: 2008/12/10 05:31:46 GMT
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
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