I have been sent the following email consulting on a proposal to extend the Freedom of Information Act to cover organisations that are not now covered, but perform a public function.  I am going to propose BT and all other telecom and utility providers be included.

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On 25th October the Prime Minister announced that the Government was publishing a consultation paper on whether it should look to extend the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act. Section 5 of the Act enables the Secretary of State to designate two types of person or organisation as a public authority:

those that appear to exercise the functions of a public nature, or

those providing, under contract made with a public authority, any service whose provision is a function of that authority.

As you have shown interest in the past on Freedom of Information issues, I have attached a link below to the consultation paper below. We would like to hear your views as to whether the Government should look to use the powers under section 5 and extend the coverage of Freedom of Information and if so which organisations it should consider.

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp2707.htm

Mrs Ayobola Akwarandu
Strategy and Policy Workstream
Information Rights Division
Ministry of Justice
Tel: 0207 210 8069
Email: ayobola.akwarandu@justice.gsi.gov.uk   END QUOTE