Emoluments MHK's resettlement grant.

AuthorityOffice of the Clerk of Tynwald
Date received2022-03-11
OutcomeNo information sent - all held but exempt
Outcome date2022-03-25
Case ID2324853

Summary

The requester asked for emails and correspondence regarding the Members' resettlement grant sent to the Cochrane and Emoluments committees. The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused to disclose any information, citing an absolute exemption to protect the privileges of Tynwald and the privacy of committee correspondence.

Key Facts

  • The request was received on 2022-03-11 and responded to on 2022-03-25.
  • The authority handling the request is the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald.
  • All requested information was withheld under an absolute exemption.
  • The exemption is based on section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
  • A signed certificate by The Hon Laurence Skelly was enclosed to confirm the exemption.

Data Disclosed

  • 2324853
  • 2022-03-11
  • 2022-03-25
  • 23 March 2022
  • 11th March 2022
  • section 22(1)(a)(i)
  • Freedom of Information Act 2015
  • 2020-21

Exemptions Cited

  • Section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Privileges of Tynwald)

Original Request

Please can you provide copies of all the emails and correspondence which were sent to the Cochrane committee and also the Emoluments committee regarding the Members resettlement grant. The result of which resulted in the standing committee of Tynwald on Emoluments to submit their FIRST REPORT FOR THE SESSION 2020-21,PROVISION FOR AN INDEPENDENT PAY BODY, AND OTHER MATTERS.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-Ordinator Office of the Clerk of Tynwald Legislative Buildings Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PW Telephone: 01624 685500

Our ref: 2324853 23 March 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 11th March 2022 and which states:

"Please can you provide copies of all the emails and correspondence which were sent to the Cochrane committee and also the Emoluments committee regarding the Members resettlement grant. The result of which resulted in the standing committee of Tynwald on Emoluments to submit their FIRST REPORT FOR THE SESSION 2020-21,PROVISION FOR AN INDEPENDENT PAY BODY, AND OTHER MATTERS."

Our Response While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is absolutely exempt from disclosure under section 22 of the Act in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because all of it is absolutely exempt information. The exemption in section 22(1)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 is required in order to avoid an infringement of the privileges of Tynwald, namely that Members are entitled to receive committee correspondence in private. As required by the Freedom of Information Act 2015, I have enclosed a signed certificate by The Hon Laurence Skelly confirming this.
Please quote the reference number 2324853 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.