Hi Listers, In light of the recent threads regarding documents of a sensitive nature, just thought you would be interested in the following excerpt from the National Archives website. Regards Diana The _Freedom of Information Act_ (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm) was passed in November 2000 and came fully into effect from 1 January 2005. FOI gives people a right of access to information held by public bodies. The range of public bodies covered by FOI is very wide, ranging from central government departments to individual schools and parish councils. A full list of the bodies affected - FOI authorities - can be found in Schedule 1 of the Act. A separate Act covers public authorities in Scotland - the _Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002._ (http://www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2002/20020013.htm) The list includes The National Archives and the rights of access apply both to our own administrative records and to the archives (the records transferred to us from other government departments). FOI applies to information whatever its age, and whether it is at The National Archives or is still held by the originating government department. The 30 year standard closure period no longer determines access to records; instead, information is assumed to be ´open´ right from the start unless one of the exemptions set out in the Act applies. Exemptions are grounds to withhold information. They are clearly defined in the Act, are limited in number and are usually used where some harm might result if the information were to be released. The Ministry of Justice has produced a guide to _FOI exemptions._ (http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/guidance/exsumm/index.htm) There are separate _Environmental Information Regulations_ (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/foi/environmental.htm) giving similar rights of access to environmental information. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can send a written request for information (a letter, fax or email) to an FOI authority. The FOI authority must say whether it holds the information, and if it does, provide it. The rights of access are overridden only by the exemptions mentioned above. Those disappointed with the response to their enquiry can complain to the _Information Commissioner,_ (http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/) the independent regulator of the Act. There is a further right of appeal to an Information Tribunal.