This was a clear commitment that the Conservative Party made in 2006. At that time they didn't say things like “The current system works well”; it was a clear commitment.
Let's move on. Under your Conservative government the average processing times have gone from 30- to 60-day periods to 150- to 250-day periods. When departments are asked to respond as to why things are taking so long, they often respond that it's in “PCO consultations”. Why is the PCO delaying requests from months to years?
In fact, there is a new twist to what they're doing. It's almost become Orwellian. They are now sending out memos, saying the following:
We are aware that a certain time has passed since your request was originally received and we sincerely apologize for the delay. In an attempt to clear out our heavy backlog situation, please complete the following: Do you still require that information--yes or no?
They're trying to compel people.... They're delaying--delaying to the point where perhaps it's no longer relevant--and then trying to get off the hook for having delayed by getting the people to actually say it's too late now, and they're saying that the original requester has asked that the access to information request be dropped.