On the spot: Kevin Dunion, Freedom of Information Commissioner

Published on Sunday 3 June 2007 00:52

What's the strangest FoI request you have come across?

Janice Oliver, Argyll

I've seen nothing similar to the fabled FoI request made to the Foreign Office asking how much British ambassadors spent on Ferrero Rocher! Very few of the cases across my desk could be described as 'strange' - the overwhelming majority come from people simply attempting to address the very real issues that affect their lives.

Answering FoIs takes up a huge amount of time when people in the public sector could be doing something more worthwhile. How do you justify it?

J M O'Neill, Renfrewshire

In Scotland employees have used their new rights to get information on how their jobs are graded, parents have secured information on school closures, and newspapers have published detailed surgical mortality statistics. They would not have got the information without FoI. The Act was introduced with the purpose of making authorities more open and accountable to those they serve. I think that there is a huge amount of worth in that.

Is it too easy for the government to dodge FoI enquiries?

Arthur Gilfillan, London

If people don't get the information they want they are able to appeal to me. I can - and do - order release if I disagree with the line the Executive has taken.

Should FOI be extended to private companies and not just public bodies?

Will Fulton, Glasgow

In general I would say no - [though] I think an argument can be made for bringing those companies that carry out public functions - such as the providers of private prison services - under the FoI scope.

Do you think there should be a ban on FoIs on trivial subjects?

Andrew Ryan, Stirlingshire

The FoI Act already allows authorities to legitimately refuse requests that are 'vexatious'. We have to be cautious here, however, as there are cases where a question that seems trivial has been asked for a legitimate and genuine underlying reason.

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