§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications his Department, and non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies which report to his Department, have received for the release of information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 since they came into force; how much it has cost the Department to provide the information requested; how many applications for information were refused; what reasons were given for the non-provision of the information; what was the(a) average charge and (b) highest charge made in each year for the provision of information; and what plans he has to review the operation of the regulations. [40342]
§ Mr. ClappisonNo records are kept of the number of applications for information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992. The Department does not keep central records of the aggregate cost in supplying information nor of any charges levied—the vast majority of requests are met without a charge being levied.
As of April this year, when records were last collated, the Department had refused 33 requests for environmental information. The reasons cited for refusal were non-jurisdictional (1), manifestly unreasonable (3), international relations (3), national defence (3), legal or other proceedings (7), confidential deliberations (4), incomplete document (3), commercial confidentiality (7), contravene existing statutory provision (1), and delay (4).
The operation of the regulations will be reviewed at the end of this year and a report will be submitted to the European Commission.