Apologies if I'm doing anyone an injustice, but the wording of this
inquiry seem to suggest that someone doesn't want to disclose the
requested information, for whatever reason, but is citing the DPA as
a 'cover story'.
Any actual DP concern could be overcome by asking the presumably
small number of people involved for consent. Refusing access without
asking, implies that the organisation doesn't want to release the
information.
If there's a good policy reason for refusing access, why not say so?
If the reason is that the requester displays insufficient respect for
his betters, don't hide behind the DPA. This will eventually
discredit the legislation. (Sorry to be blunt!)
The Data Protection Commissioner's recent annual report talks about
bodies which "grasp the Act and wave it as though it were some hybrid
garlic which might ward off information hungry vampires. Nowhere
does the Act place blanket bars on the disclosure of information."
Maurice Frankel
Campaign for Freedom of Information
At 10:24 am +0100 7/8/00, Gil Richardson wrote:
>Council, the Trustees of the College, meets 5 times a year. Members of
>Council represent the Faculties of the College. A member of the
>College/Faculty has requested (more of a demand really) the attendance
>record of the Council member representing the requesting member's Faculty be
>disclosed to him.
>
>We have declined on the grounds of DP provisions on disclosure - consent
>etc.
>
>Attendance records of Council Members (5 out of 5; 4 out of 5; say) are
>reported to the Trustees of the College via the Annual Report. We believe
>this to be the extent of the College requirement to disclose attendance
>records.
>
>I would be grateful for any comments/thoughts on this.
>
>
>Gil Richardson
>Senior Information Manager
>RCGP
>
>email: [log in to unmask]
>Website: www.rcgp.org.uk
>Tel: 0171 581 3232 ext 231
>Fax: 0171 225 3047
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