§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the deterrent effects of reported charges by Government Departments or other public bodies in respect of applications for the release of information under the code of practice on access to Government information. [15991]
§ Mr. David HuntThe great majority of requests for information under the code of practice have been answered without charge. Charges have been made only where requests have required significant additional work. These arrangements reflect the principle that charges should strike an appropriate balance between the interests of the applicant and those of the taxpayer.
The explanatory leaflet on the code of practice makes clear that charges will not be made without the applicant's being notified in advance and asked if they wish to proceed.