Preliminary Analysis of Data Relating to the Processing of Freedom of Information Act Requests Received by the UK Ministry of Defence

Abstract

This research note provides a preliminary analysis of data relating to the processing of 15,627 Freedom of Information Act requests received by the UK Ministry of Defence between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008. It includes a description of trends in the volume of requests by applicant type, the categorization and disposition of requests, and time required to respond to requests. The main aim is to provide researchers with an intimation of what might be done with data that is collected within departments' FOIA management systems, and released under FOIA.

Keywords: Freedom of Information, Access to Information, Right to Information, Transparency, Implementation, United Kingdom