RE: Public Authority by Ibrahim - written 06/03/2008 18:15:30
The Post Office is a public authority as it is listed in schedule 1. But it is the company that is a public authority not an individual Post Office. Having said that most post offices are operated as businesses by individuals who can be said to be holding information on behalf of the Post Office. The legal obligation is on the company though to answer requests.

Royal Mail is also subject to the Act and has had decisions made in respect of it by ICO. I can't find it in scheduel 1 but suspect it is a wholly owned company pursuant to section 6.

Hope this helps.

Isabel Esteves wrote (04/03/2008 10:57:54):

Hi Ibrahim,

I have a quick question.  Is the post office a public authority? Schedule I of the FOIA names The Post Office.

But I rang the Commissioner's office and I was told that the Royal mail is a public authority but not the post office.

I am aware that the Royal mail group is the parent company of the Royal mail and the post office therefore the post office is a separate company.

What do you think? Is a post office a public authority?

Thank you

Isabel

 



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