Access to Information Central Clearing House

The Access to Information Central Clearing House was established by the UK Government in January 2005. The Central Clearing House was set up to ensure consistent application of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) across Central Government.[1] The Central Clearing House provides expert advice for cases referred to the Information Commissioner or Information Tribunal.[2]

For other uses of this term, see Clearing house

Procedures exist to ensure that all requests which activate one of a number of 'triggers' are referred to the Clearing House.[3]

Critics have blamed the Central Clearing House for the rising number of appeals to the Information Commissioner and for 'being bent on blocking as many requests for information as it can'.[4]

Triggers for referring requests to Central Clearing House

The Government has published a list of triggers which will result in request being referred to the Central Clearing House these triggers fall under five main headings:[5]

  • Prime ministerial and ministerial issues
  • Royal Household and honours
  • Procurement and efficiency
  • Cross-Whitehall issues
  • Ministerial veto certificates and security

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2010-05-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2010-05-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/policy/opengov/defra/handling-procedure/procedures.htm%5B%5D
  4. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article573002.ece
  5. List of ‘triggers’ for referral to the DCA Clearing House, Department of Constitutional Affairs


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