[15A. Extension of time limits---(1) Where a request in accordance
 with section 12 of this Act is made or transferred to a Department or
 Minister of the Crown or organisation, the [[chief executive]] of that
 Department or an officer or employee of that Department authorised by
 that [[chief executive]] or that Minister of the Crown or that
 organisation may extend the time limit set out in section 14 or section
 15 (1) of this Act in respect of the request if---
   (a) The request is for a large quantity of official information or
         necessitates a search through a large quantity of information
         and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere
         with the operations of the Department or the Minister of the
         Crown or the organisation; or
   (b) Consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such
         that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made
         within the original time limit.


   (2) Any extension under subsection (1) of this section shall be for a
 reasonable period of time having regard to the circumstances.


   (3) The extension shall be effected by giving or posting notice of the
 extension to the person who made the request within 20 working days
 after the day on which the request is received.


   (4) The notice effecting the extension shall---
   (a) Specify the period of the extension; and
   (b) Give the reasons for the extension; and
   (c) State that the person who made the request for the official
         information has the right, under section 28 (3) of this Act, to
         make a complaint to an Ombudsman about the extension; and
   (d) Contain such other information as is necessary.]

       This section was inserted by s. 9 (1) of the Official Information
     Amendment Act 1987.
       In subs. (1) the references to the chief executive, in double
     square brackets, were substituted for references to the permanent
     head by s. 90 (d) of the State Sector Act 1988.