Freedom of Information
Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act encourages public
authorities to make as much information as possible available to
the public proactively.
Under the Act, we are required to adopt a publication scheme
which contains information we routinely make
available, and ensure that information is published in accordance
with the
scheme. GEO has adopted the Information Commissioner's
model publication scheme.
Publication schemes explain what information is
routinely made available to you, where and when that information is
available and whether there will be a charge for the
information.
We make a significant amount of information available under our
scheme. One of its benefits is that it makes information easily
accessible and without charge. This means that, in many cases, the
information you are looking for will already be available and there
will be no need for you to make a formal request under the Act.
Classes of information
You can see the classes of
information contained in our Scheme and access the guide to
information available in each class. The classes of
information in our Scheme will not generally include information
which is protected from disclosure, is in draft form, or is no
longer readily available.
How does the scheme work? Will I be charged for the
information?
Information listed in the publication scheme is available on our
website and in print. You can access information:
1. On
our website
When the information is available on the GEO website, the web
address will be given and a link will be provided. There is no
charge for information available on the website.
2. By
email
You can email a request to enquiries@geo.gsi.gov.uk
including the words publication scheme in the
subject heading. There is no charge for information which is
provided electronically.
3. By
post
If you ask for information available on our website to be provided
in paper format it may be necessary to make a charge. Each case is
considered separately. For example, if a large amount of
photocopying is required, or if the cost of postage of a large
volume of paperwork is very high.
How up to date is the publication scheme website?
Most of the information included in our scheme will be current.
However, for certain classes of information, it may be necessary to
publish the information retrospectively.
How long is information kept on the publication scheme
website?
Information will not be available through the publication scheme
indefinitely. We are committed to providing the public with as much
information as is practically possible. It is important that the
information we provide is relevant and up to date.
Is the information available in other languages?
Most of the information we provide is currently only available
in English. A formal Welsh language scheme covering our full range
of responsibilities is being prepared. In the meantime we will
reply to correspondence received in Welsh within 15 working days.
Providing copies of material not currently available in Welsh may
take longer.
Information already available
Please note that information that has already
been disclosed or published by GEO is exempt from disclosure under
the FOIA, for example in our Annual Report and Accounts. The
information found here provides a
useful summary. This information is based on Chapter 5 of our
Annual Report and Resource Accounts
2008-09.
We aim to reply to you promptly and are obliged under
the law to provide a response within 20 working days.
Some information may not be available because it falls within
one of the exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. When
that happens, we will tell you which exemption applies and, in most
cases, why the information cannot be released.
There may be a cost involved in dealing with your request, which
you may have to pay. If so, we will send you a notice stating the
amount and how we calculated that figure. You will then have three
months to pay the fee before we continue to process your
request.