Ombudsman criticises DTI for sluggishness

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has come under heavy criticism today in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's second annual report into access to government information.

According to the Ombudsman, Michael Buckley, the DTI was guilty of "significant delays" in processing information relating to the government's encryption policy.

The findings relate to an enquiry made 5 March 1998 to the DTI's Open Government Enquiry Point. According to the Ombudsman's report, the DTI was approached for information on the formulation of its encryption policy. DTI officials identified 16 documents relating to the request, but claimed none of the documents could be sanctioned for official release.

After a complaint to the Ombudsman, the DTI finally released a summary of the requested information. But the Ombudsman's report criticised the department saying the request was "poorly handled" and there was "still some further information which should have been provided".

In his report, Buckley added: "There were significant delays between the initial requests and the provision of information. I remain concerned that when they receive requests dealing with what are seen as sensitive or controversial areas of policy and practice, departments too often raise the drawbridge instinctively."

The complaint was partially upheld.