Culture of secrecy will not change overnight

Sir: Of the 10 examples on the front page (2 February) of failed attempts to use the Freedom of Information Act, three were rejected on the grounds of cost. It seems that information which would otherwise be "free" (in the sense of not being contained) can remain undisclosed because it is not "free" (in the sense of having no purchase price).

It would be interesting to discover what the ombudsman's view would be if you were to offer to pay whatever excess costs might be incurred in retrieving the information you requested.

RICHARD A. BARTLE
West Bergholt, Essex