HOW much does Conwy County Council spend on tea and biscuits? Why have expulsion figures doubled in our schools? Who is responsible for the fact one person contracts MRSA every day in Conwy and Denbighshire’s hospitals? These are just three of the issues the Weekly News has tackled since the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) came into play two years ago. But the Government is planning to restrict the questions and applications people make in the future, which is why we are calling on readers to support our campaign and write to Clwyd West MP David Jones, Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane and Conwy MP Betty Williams in opposition to the move. Maurice Frankel, director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, told the Weekly News: "The Government says it is merely targeting the more expensive requests, to keep costs down, but the act itself costs only £35 million a year. "The cuts are supposed to save just under £12 million annually – the National Audit Office says the Government could save £660 million by more careful purchasing of office supplies alone. "What the Government really wants is more privacy from our prying eyes, and now they want to make it much easier for authorities to reject FOI requests. "At the moment, they can refuse to answer if the cost of finding the information would be more than £450 or, in the case of government departments, £600. Ministers want them to also count the cost of the time spent discussing and deciding what to do about the request." He said under the changes, authorities would be able to add up the costs of all requests made by an individual or group over three months. Mr Frankel added: "The casualties could include those requests which do most to inform public debate, extend the boundaries of openness and help hold authorities to account. "The Government is now consulting on these proposals. You can help by letting your MP know that you want more, not less, freedom of information." E-mail Betty Williams at bettywilliamsmp@parliament.uk, David Jones at jonesdi@parliament.uk, and Chris Ruane at ruanec@parliament.uk Visit the Campaign for Freedom of Information website at www.cfoi.org.uk. | 
