The UK's
Freedom of Information Act is to be extended beyond public
sector bodies, it emerged at a conference hosted by the Information
Commissioner's Office in London yesterday.
The government plans to extend the Act to allow requests for
information about private sector companies carrying out public
sector duties, justice minister
Michael Wills said.
"We are carrying out consultations and will announce the results
soon. There is going to be an extension," he told attendees of the
Private Data, Open Government conference.
Wills was responding to a question in an open debate about data
privacy and freedom of information in government.
The news of the planned extension of the Freedom of Information
Act was greeted with approval from conference attendees and fellow
panellist, Sir Allen Beith.
"Where private sector companies carry out public duties it is
only right that the Freedom of Information Act should apply," he
said.