A 2-year freedom of information battle over the right to see invitations to tender for rail franchises has been won after the government dropped its appeal against an Information Commission ruling in RMT’s favour (link below.)
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/05/rmt_wins_freedom_of_informatio.html#more

The victory was today hailed by the union as a massive step towards ensuring that planned cuts to franchised rail services are not hidden from the public under the pretext of 'commercial sensitivity'.

In November last year the Information Commissioner ruled that the former Strategic Rail Authority had breached the 2000 Freedom of Information Act in February 2005 by failing to disclose the contents of the 'final invitation to tender' for the Integrated Kent Franchise within 20 working days of the request.

RMT subsequently requested disclosure of the invitations to tender (ITTs) for the West Midlands , East Midlands , New Cross Country and East Coast Mainline franchises but , despite the earlier ruling , the government has hitherto refused to disclose their contents.

However, in dropping its appeal the government has indicated that it will now undertake an 'urgent review' of the four current ITTs with a view to publishing them 'as soon as possible'.