Just before its inception in January 2005, national newspapers led with stories of 'shredders glowing in the dark' as desperate public sector departments tried to destroy awkward documents.
Perhaps this explains why the Department for Work and Pensions has still not processed a request about its PR spend sent more than 30 working days ago (the Act requires requests to be processed in 20 working days).
Or maybe there is another reason, provided by a more helpful PRO from one of the largest public sector bodies: 'Everything is in a big warehouse, probably somewhere in Wales. God knows. No-one really knows what they are spending in the public sector.'
Reassuring.