BT is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Oftel is).

Under section  5(1) of the Act The Secretary of State (who is also Lord Chancellor) Lord Falconer of the Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) has the power to add an organisation to the list of bodies covered by the Act

The DCA is preparing a consultation process re above, if you would like to be included in the mailing list, send a request to DCA, 54 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW or email them: InformationRights@DCA.gsi.gov.uk  (subject heading: “Consultation Paper FIA S5 – Mailing List”) with your name and address.

The telephone number is 020 7210 8042  (they would prefer an email request)

My response would be to request that BT be included as it “exercises functions of a public nature” – the words used in section 5(1)a of the Act.

And the BBC for the same reason?

The BBC, Channel4 and S4C are covered by the FIA.


So the above post does not relate to the BBC, ch4  or S4c.

The Information Commissioner [www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk] sent me a letter about BT. The relevant contents are as follows:

BT is not covered by the Act (Freedom of Information Act 2000), but can be added later under section 5, if the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs  (www.dca.gov.uk)  considers that it should be included.

“I would also point out at this stage that some of the information held by BT may be covered if they are engaged in some form of contract with any of the organisations listed or designated as public authorities for the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  This information can be requested in writing through the concerned public authority.”

Any organisation who has a BT line, has a “form of contract” with BT.