2 February 2005
More than 4000 requests have been received in the first month since the Freedom of Information Act came into force, the Lord Chancellor has revealed.
In what he called a ‘new era in the relationship between citizen and state’, enquiries have been made for documents on anything from artwork loaned to Cabinet Ministers to details about NATO agreements.
The National Archives has received the most requests, more than 600, followed by the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office.
Two requests have had their deadline extended beyond 20 working days to allow consideration of where the public interest lies.
Half of all enquiries have been from journalists.
Lord Falconer said:
"Across the 100,000 public bodies covered by the Act, a huge amount of information has been released.
"We have sown the seeds of cultural change towards a Government at all levels that is more open, transparent and accountable."
Extra information
The Freedom of Information Act gives public authorities 20 working days to respond to requests.
A report on the first three months of FOI will be published in June.
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