Freedom of Information: Network Rail

Norman Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reason Network Rail was not made subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as a result of his recent review of the scope of the Act.

Mr. Straw
On 16 July 2009, the Government published their response to the consultation on extending the scope of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) to cover additional bodies by way of a section 5 order. The Government response proposed an initial, focused section 5 order and noted their intention to consult Academies, ACPO, Financial Ombudsman Service and UCAS on their possible inclusion in such an order.

The Government made clear that this was an initial step and further consideration would be given to how other bodies, for example, Network Rail might also be brought within the scope of the freedom of information regime. In certain cases, it may be more appropriate to use primary legislation rather than a section 5 order.