Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003

Amendment of section 29 (procedure in relation to certain requests under section 7 to which section 26, 27 or 28 applies) of Principal Act.

24.—Section 29 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following subsection after subsection (2):

“(2A) (a) The head may, as respects a request to which this section applies received by him or her, extend the period specified in subsection (2) for compliance with that subsection by such period as he or she considers necessary but not exceeding a period of 2 weeks if in the opinion of the head—

(i) the request relates to such number of records, or

(ii) the number of persons required by subsection (2) to be notified of the matters referred to in paragraphs (i) to (iii) of that subsection is such,

that compliance with that subsection within the period specified therein is not reasonably possible.

(b) Where a period is extended under this subsection, the head concerned shall cause notice in writing, or in such other form as may be determined, to be given to the requester concerned, before the expiration of the period, of the extension and the period thereof and reasons therefor.

(c) The reference in subsection (2) to 2 weeks shall be construed in accordance with any extension under this subsection of that period.”.