The Lancaster Experiment – the Appeal

I have today appealed to the Information Commissioner about my request to the Duchy of Lancaster under EIR. →Read more

The Lancaster Experiment Continued

The Duchy have refused to provide the information I asked for in my Environmental Information Request. The reason given is that the Duchy of Lancaster is ‘not a “public authority” as defined within paragraph 2 of the Regulations”. So that is it then the end of the experiment then, well not quite. Comments are appreciated. […] →Read more

Should people be allowed to make requests anonymously?

Under the Freedom of Act 2000 a valid request requires an address for correspondence and a real name. The ICO accepts that an email address is a valid address. The law is unfair in several respects: a person writing on behalf of a company can give the company name and not their own name. a […] →Read more

Transparency Questionnaire

The idea: twelve questions to ask every MP in the UK about transparency/FOI this blog entry is a work in progress – I will keep editing it as ideas come to me. possible ideas: see transparency questionnaire →Read more

The Lancaster Experiment

Is the Duchy of Lancaster (headed up by the Queen) subject to the Environmental Information Regulations 2004? Only one way to find out… I have made a request: Policies and minutes I would welcome any suggestions you might have as to how best to make the argument that the Duchy does have environmental responsibilities and/or […] →Read more

Keep inquests in the open

The Government is putting forward plans for parts or the whole of an inquest to be heard in secret on the grounds of national security or the need to protect intelligence sources. One of the main reasons for having inquests is to make sure there has been no misconduct leading to a death. When people […] →Read more

Stop draconian data plan

“The Information Sharing Orders would remove data protection restrictions that mean information can only be used for the purpose it was taken. “ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7852480.stm →Read more

Government told to release minutes of Iraq decision

Information tribunal today ordered publication of cabinet minutes from 2003. Government must release cabinet minutes on lead-up to Iraq war →Read more

Suggestions for next campaign

The petition has now closed… but the work goes on. Please comment if you have any ideas for the next campaign to improve access to information in the UK. It could be a petition, a pledge, a new resource or something totally different. →Read more

Petition Closed – 370 Signatures

Thanks to everyone who signed and everyone who promoted this. I have not yet received a response from Number 10 but most petitions with this many signatures do get responses so I am expecting one. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/publiccompanies/ →Read more