BENZODIAZEPINES ……….. Freedom of Information Requests

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Welcome to Benzodiazepine FOI.

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Information on Freedom of Information is given below, further details can be found by clicking the links – please join us

The basics The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act deals with access to  official information and gives individuals or organisations the right to request information from any public authority.

  • Those formally subject to the FOI Act
  • Those formally subject to the Environmental Regulations (a less well defined group)
  • Those which voluntarily comply with the FOI Act
  • Those which aren’t subject to the Act but we think should be, on grounds such as them having significant public responsibilities.

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    REMEMBER: If You Don’t ask,  You Don’t get

    Your right to know The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request information held by public authorities, companies wholly owned by public authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and non-devolved public bodies in Scotland.

    Your legal rights All public authorities and companies wholly owned by public authorities have obligations under the Freedom of Information Act. When responding to requests, they have to follow a number of set procedures.

    Guidance The ICO publishes detailed guidance notes that provide organisations and individuals with all the information they need to know about the Freedom of Information Act.

    Decision notices A Decision Notice outlines the ICO‘s final assessment, following a complaint, as to whether or not a public authority has complied with the Act. These are catalogued and available online.

    Sample Letters

    Legislation in full Read the full text of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

    Keep Requests Focused

     Put in your request only what is needed so that someone can easily identify what information you are asking for, without being too specific. Do not include any of the following:

    • arguments about your cause
    • statements that could defame or insult others

    Short, succinct messages make it easier for authorities to be clear about what information you are requesting, which means you will get a reply more quickly. Remember to state that the information is requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

    The Response

    Watch out for adjectives

    e.g. “We do not hold the full report”, may mean we hold the summary but you have not asked for that.

    “We do not hold all the minutes you have requested” may mean we hold some of them.