I feel the frustration of correspondent IL Stephenson when trying to get information he is legally entitled to. As an advocate for decent treatment of animals I have often found the same delaying and blocking tactics used by government departments, research institutes and factory farming lobby groups to any request to provide details on animal abuse.
I have found the following tactics to quite successful, and would suggest that these might result in a better outcome for your correspondent. Firstly, Ministry of Justice guidelines state that the first hour of time spent collating information and the first 20 pages
should not be charged for. Charges can therefore be avoided by teaming
up with a group of people, all separately requesting smaller portions of the information. Secondly, although industries and government departments with something to hide will use every excuse in the book to avoid providing the information they are legally obliged to give to the taxpayers funding their activities, they are easily cowed by a simple complaint to the Ombudsmens' Office.
Many people have made the mistake of trying to argue with the person withholding the information. Don't bother. If they have not provided the information within the statutory 20 working days, or if they make excuses, simply make a complaint to the Ombudsman. I have made several such complaints and they usually work in my favour.
Dr. Michael Morris, Gate Pa.