The request is not being sent to an authority it is being sent to a mailing list. I reckon if it is not directed to the public authority in question it is not a request. However if you e-mailed me direct with my organisations e-mail address i.e. leics.gov.uk then yup I would reckon thats valid. Also, if I have no mail set up (through jisc like wot we should do when we have happy holidays) you don't know if I got it. Feels like Friday!! (apols if this appears twice!!)