HL Deb 12 January 1998 vol 584 c135WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend that members of the public will have to pay the cost of photocopying documents when exercising their right of access to information under the proposed Freedom of Information Act; and if so, how such charges are to be calculated and regulated to ensure that they are no more than is appropriate and necessary.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The White PaperYour Right to Know (Cm 3818) sets out in paragraphs 2.28 to 2.34 the Government's proposals for fees and charges under the proposed Freedom of Information Act. These include the requirement that any charges should reflect only reasonable costs; and that applicants for information would have a right of appeal to the proposed information commissioner about the level of charges made.