Yes, I agree - the FOI Act is for public and not private bodies.

In response to the other point, I refuse point-blank to give my business to any company or organisation that wants to take money off me just for the priviledge of contacting them, and the majority seem content (sometimes through gritted teeth) to provide a 'proper' number when this is requested - particularly when you point out that your business will go elsewhere if they refuse, and that a forceful email of complaint is about to wing its way to them via their website.........

The sooner they get the message that, far from making money out of their callers it is actually losing them business, the sooner they will cease this iniquitous practice.  Never forget that the consumer is king!

Thanks for the replies, you've clarified things for me very well. I shall now try and add my weight to the say no campaign.