List of organisations not subject to FOI by function

An Appendix to this letter: Letter_to_say_more_organisations_should_be_covered_by_the_Act

get ideas from here: Organisations_and_officials_with_public_responsibilities_that_are_not_subject_to_the_Freedom_of_Information_Act

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Communications, Media and Entertainment

Advertising Standards Authority

"The Advertising Standards Authority regulates the content of advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK." [1]

British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

The BBFC is an independent, non-governmental body, which has classifies cinema films and videos. (Video Recordings Act 1984).

British Telecom, in respect of information held for the purpose of meeting its Universal Service Obligation

"The USO is a safety net that makes sure people on low incomes, and other customers who might be at a disadvantage, can have a phone service."[2]

Casino Advisory Panel

The ICO noted in its response to a Government consultation that it has received complaints about this body not being subject to the Act.[3]

Market Research Society (MRS)

"MRS supports best practice by setting and enforcing industry standards. The commitment to uphold the MRS Code of Conduct is supported by the Codeline service and a wide range of specialist guidelines."[30] "

• MRS Code of Conduct

Openreach

Openreach is the division was created to "Ensure that all rival operators have equality of access to BT's own local network". The local network or "access network" is the wiring connecting customers to their local telephone exchange, starting at the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) in the exchange and ending at the network termination point (NTP) at the end user's premises. Wikipedia Article on Openreach

PhonepayPlus Limited

previously called ICSTIS[4]

"Under the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has responsibility for the regulation of premium rate services. In December 2007 it was confirmed that PhonepayPlus will act as the agency which carries out the day-to-day regulation of the PRS market on Ofcom's behalf."[5]

Press Complaints Commission

"The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body which deals with complaints from members of the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines."

• The PCC and the Freedom of Information Act, Julian Petley, February 2005

• official website

Democracy

Electoral Registration Officers

"The Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not list any person appointed under the Representation of the People Act 1983. The Electoral Registration Officer, Returning Officer or any other person appointed under the Act are not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act."[6]

Returning Officers

See Electoral Registration Officers.

Education

Academies

"Academies are all-ability, state-funded schools established and managed by sponsors from a wide range of backgrounds" (according to the DCSF)

Exam Boards

Bodies that set and regulate exams, such as SATs, GCSEs and 'A'-levels.

e.g. "The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is the largest of the three English exam boards, awarding 49% of full course GCSEs and 42% of A-levels nationally. In total, students take over 3.5 million exams with us each year. "[7]

An Exam Board that is a wholly owned subsidiaries of a university is subject to the Act.

Energy

Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited

"Gas Safe Register is run by Capita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services Limited"[14]

"Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for Great Britain (GB)..., appointed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for Great Britain..."[8]

National Grid plc

"National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses." [9]

Environment

Regional Climate Change Partnerships

The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to regional climate change partnerships [10], created as a result of the Climate Change Act 2008.

Health

Local Medical Committees

Statutory body representing GPs

Royal College of Physicians

The RCP publish Clinical guidelines that 'are "systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances".'

http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/college/ceeu/search/

Housing

Housing Associations

Housing Associations (also called Registered Social Landlords) are not subject to FOI (in theory one could be if it was wholly owned by a local authority).

Finance

Financial Ombudsman Service

Appears not be subject to the Act[11]

The service is funded by levies and case fees which businesses we cover have to pay by law. Consumers do not pay to bring a complaint to the ombudsman. And we receive no government funding. They have statutory powers under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and Consumer and Credit Act 2006.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/faq/answers/research_a5.html

Financial Reporting Council

"The Financial Reporting Council is the UK’s independent regulator responsible for promoting confidence in corporate governance and reporting. We promote high standards of corporate governance through the Combined Code,..." [12]

publicly owned banks

including:

• Bradford & Bingley plc
• Northern Rock plc

Parliamentary corporations and pension schemes

Corporate Officer of the House of Commons

The corporate officer is a corporation sole.

Corporate Officer of the House of Lords

The corporate officer is a corporation sole.

Trustees of Parliamentary Contributory Pensions Fund

[13]

Trustees of House of Commons pension scheme

• [14]

Transport and navigation

Air Travel Trust

Included in "Whole of Government Accounts". The purpose of the Air Travel Trust is to manage and apply the Trust Fund for the benefit of customers of failed tour operators. [15]

Navigation Authorities

A quarter of the UKs inland waterways are controlled by 30 navigation authorities drawn from the public, private and voluntary sectors. [16]

• The Conservators of the River Cam are an example http://www.camconservators.co.uk/

(The Environment Agency, the Broads Authority and British Waterways Board are subject to the act)

Trinity House

The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond". The General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. Also a Deep Sea Pilotage Authority providing expert navigators for ships trading in Northern European waters.

Royalty and Crown Land

Duchy of Cornwall

"Under the 1337 charter, and as confirmed by subsequent legislation, The Prince of Wales is not entitled to the proceeds or profit on the sale of assets, and only receives the annual income which they generate, which is voluntarily subject to income tax. Because of the importance of the beneficiary, the Duchy’s ‘trust provisions’ have, over the years, been set out in legislation, with the financial security of the Duchy overseen by HM Treasury." [17]

Duchy of Lancaster

"The Duchy's main purpose is to provide income for the Sovereign as Duke of Lancaster, although the Sovereign is not entitled to any of the capital assets of the Duchy. Established over 700 years ago, the Duchy of Lancaster is a body created under Charter."

The Royal Household

The Royal Household aims to provide exceptional support and advice to The Queen, enabling her to serve the nation and its people. The Royal Household employs over 1,200 staff.

• Official Website of Royal Family

UK National Standards Body (NSB)

British Standards Institution (BSI)

BSI is a private company with some public responsibilities:

"BSI British Standards is recognised as the UK National Standards Body (NSB) by the UK Government. The UK NSB role is performed by BSI British Standards on behalf of the UK Government and principally involves the representation of the UK in European and International standards fora."