Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 December 2006.

Freedom of Information: Environmental Information Regulations

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:When reviews have been held following refusal of information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004; and what was the nature and subject matter of the information held.

Answer: Regulation 11 of the Environmental Information Regulations sets out the mechanism for those requesting environmental information to ask public authorities to review their response to requests. The request for a review must be made within 40 days of the date on which the requester believes the authority failed to comply with a requirement of the regulations. The Government do not hold information centrally on when these reviews take place. The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) is committed to publishing quarterly updates on departmental performance under the Freedom of Information Act. This includes information on the number of requests referred for internal review on the grounds that requested information was not provided. The most recent of these was published on 29 September 2006 and can be found both on the DCA website at www.foi.gov.uk/reference/statsAndReports/stats06_apr-jun.htm and in the Library. The next bulletin is due next month, while an annual report is due to be published in early 2007.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 394; 687 c120WA
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Freedom of Information: Environmental Information Regulations
Monday, 18 December 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Freedom of information Environment
Legislation: Environmental Information Regulations 2004
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk