More people are formally seeking information from the government although a higher number of requests are being turned down, new data has revealed.

The number of requests for access to government-held information has risen over the last year, a report released by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) revealed.

In 2002 the number of requests made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information increased on the previous year.

There were 5,212 recorded code requests in 2002 - a 12 per cent increase on the 4,668 recorded code requests received in 2001, but less than the 5,969 requests received in 2000.

One in five requests were turned down - a three per cent increase over the last year but a nine per cent reduction compared to 1999.

The most common reasons for refusing to issue information concerned law enforcement, legal proceedings or confidentiality of contacts with the royal household.

Most requests still come from individuals, MPs, peers and the media, the report from the Information Rights Division of the DCA found.

"The vast majority of requests continue to be answered within the 20 working day target for response and the number of requests for internal review remains consistent with the previous year," added the report.

Departments met their own deadlines in 92.8 per cent of cases - a slight fall from the 2001 figure of 96.4 per cent and the 2000 figure of 96.2 per cent.

And ahead of the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act, the report warns departments that they must continue to abide by the code.

"Government departments and other bodies covered by the code must in particular strive to provide timely responses both to applicants and to the parliamentary ombudsman when dealing with requests for information and investigations into mishandled requests," the report noted.

It also called for closer examination on the charges levied by departments for information.

Whilst the Land Registry makes no charge the Home Office charges £20 per hour beyond the first hour it takes to compile the information requested.

"Where a charge is to be made for the provision of information, applicants should always be informed of that charge before any work is carried out by the body," stated the report.

"Applicants should also be given the opportunity to request an internal review of the proposed charges and, in addition, the ombudsman can investigate complaints about excessive charging."