The government is planning to hold a consultation on charging for Freedom of Information requests.
It had been due to make representations on changes to the FoI Act by December, but we understand this will now be postponed to the summer.
While the government has proposed making changes, MHKs have called for the Act to be extended to cover currently exempt government owned businesses.
Manx.News understands that the government will hold its consultation throughout March and April and will explore introducing a potential charge for FoIs and cost limit on what departments can spend on a request.
Exemptions
While most government owned companies, such as Manx Radio, can be FoI’d, others, such as the Steam Packet, Isle of Man Meats and the Manx Development Corporation are not, despite receiving funds in one way or another from the public purse, either by way of funding or loans.
Chris Thomas (Douglas South) has repeatedly pushed for the above companies to be included in the schedule of those which fall under the FoI Act saying that the current law “requires” this to be case due to the fact that they are publicly owned companies.
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