White paper of working group for national telecoms infrastructure

Summary

A request was made for a white paper on national telecoms infrastructure prepared by the Chief Minister's working group, but no information was sent because the document was already publicly available online.

Key Facts

• The requested white paper was submitted to Tynwald in May 2018.
• The document is titled 'The National Telecoms Infrastructure Committee Report September 2017'.
• The Cabinet Office refused to send the document as it is reasonably accessible to the public.
• The request was closed on 11 March 2020.
• The working group was tasked to prepare the paper by October 2017.

Data Disclosed

• 2020-03-02
• 2020-03-11
• 2020-03-12
• October 2017
• September 2017
• May 2018
• 1206849
• 20(2)(b)
• 20165
• 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2016 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

The Chief Minister's working group was to propose the high level telecoms vision, policy and strategy for the Island, to be presented to Tynwald. They were tasked to prepare a white paper, with recommendations, for consideration by the Council of Ministers and onwards to Tynwald by October 2017. Please could we have a copy of this white paper.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1206849 11 March 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 2 March 2020 and which states:

"The Chief Minister's working group was to propose the high level telecoms vision, policy and strategy for the Island, to be presented to Tynwald. They were tasked to prepare a white paper, with recommendations, for consideration by the Council of Ministers and onwards to Tynwald by October 2017. Please could we have a copy of this white paper."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. All of the information that you have requested is available from: The National Telecoms Infrastructure Committee Report September 2017 was submitted to the May 2018 sitting of Tynwald for approval and is published online here: http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020162018/2018-GD- 0019.pdf As such an Absolute Exemption under 20(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 20165 applies.

Please quote the reference number 1206849 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are

dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours faithfully