From Kable:
The information commissioner Richard Thomas will announce plans to deter vexatious requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. At a conference in London on 24 May 2007, he will say that such cases can waste public money and jeopardise the reputation of the Act.
Speaking on BBC Radio Four’s Today progamme, Thomas said that examples were a request to 10 Downing Street about the amount of toilet paper used and a request to Hampshire Police about the number of eligible bachelors in the force.
His office is developing further guidelines to help public bodies resist requests which are pointless. A Charter for Responsible FOI Requests will help to prevent requests which have no serious purpose or value, impose disproportionate burdens or have the effect of harassing the public body.