Exemptions

Summary

The requester asked if the Attorney General's Chambers provided advice on the wording of Key Worker Exemptions during the pandemic. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold the requested information, noting that the specific wording change in question did not require legal advice.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office does not hold the information requested regarding advice on Key Worker Exemption wording.
• The Attorney General's Chambers collaborated extensively with the Cabinet Office on various pandemic response aspects.
• The specific change to the exemption certificate involved adding bold red text emphasizing self-isolation requirements.
• This specific wording change was deemed not to require advice from the Attorney General's Chambers.
• The request was closed on 4 February 2021.

Data Disclosed

• 2020-12-21
• 2021-02-04
• 1611777
• June 2020
• 2015

Original Request

1. According to your records, was the Attorney General's Chambers asked for their advice or opinion on the wording of the Key Worker Exemptions prior to them being introduced. If so, what was that advice? 2. According to your records, was the Attorney General's Chambers asked for their advice or opinion on the change of wording of the Key Worker Exemptions made in June 2020 referred to by the Chief Minister in Tynwald, prior to them being introduced. If so, what was that advice?

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: 1611777 4 February 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 21 December 2020 and which states:

"1. According to your records, was the Attorney General's Chambers asked for their advice or opinion on the wording of the Key Worker Exemptions prior to them being introduced. If so, what was that advice? 2. According to your records, was the Attorney General's Chambers asked for their advice or opinion on the change of wording of the Key Worker Exemptions made in June 2020 referred to by the Chief Minister in Tynwald, prior to them being introduced. If so, what was that advice?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested.

The Attorney General's Chambers worked extensively and collaboratively with the Cabinet Office throughout the pandemic and has advised on various aspects of the response including documentation that forms part of the Island's entry restrictions. The specific wording that was added to the Certificate was the inclusion of bold, red text on the first page emphasizing the need for individuals to self-isolate when not at their place of work as specified on their exemption certificate. This information was already included elsewhere on the certificate. Accordingly, this particular change did not require advice from Attorney General's Chambers. Please quote the reference number 1611777 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 sincerely