Some of Britain s biggest polluters are trying to block new freedom of information rules which will force them to release confidential data about radioactive leaks, air pollution and their role in causing global warming. A Whitehall memo passed to The Independent on Sunday reveals that Britain s largest power companies, nuclear stations, oil refineries and water utilities are now lobbying ministers to get themselves exempted from the sweeping new rules. This is part of a widespread relaxing of disclosure laws that come into effect on 1 January, including the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act. This allows the public to see previously unpublished emails, confidential files and reports held by 100,000 public bodies including government departments, local authorities, schools and police forces.

One quarter of claims made under the historic new legislation will be rejected on first request, while the public could face delays of several weeks in getting their hands on documents as public bodies struggle to cope with the extra workload, campaigners warned last night. There are also concerns that ministers may use their special power of veto outlined in the Act, allowing them to suppress sensitive documents, for example the Attorney General s legal advice to the Government on the Iraq war. Government departments shredded some 100,000 documents in the run-up to the introduction of the Act, it was reported last week.

Maurice Frankel, director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, warned people to be as specific as possible in phrasing their requests so that they are not refused under exemptions allowed in the new laws. ? There is no doubt that there is resistance and they [public bodies] will focus on the harm of disclosure, said Mr Frankel. ? Delays are obviously a problem, we are not talking years, but there will be some requests which will catch people unawares. They [public bodies] should not use the applicant s ignorance of what goes on inside authorities. Under separate environmental disclosure laws, also coming into effect on the same day, major industries will be required to release files about environmental damage - including noise and air pollution from airports, toxic leaks and carbon dioxide emitted by power stations. Business leaders are furious that the Environmental Information Regulations will go far further than the Freedom of Information Act.(The Independent 26/12)