Time spent on preparing answers to questions on order paper for 13/06/2017 by civil servants

Summary

A request was made for the cost of civil servants' time spent preparing answers for the Tynwald Order Paper on 13 June 2017. The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald refused the request, stating they do not hold this information as it is recorded by individual Government Departments.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 10 June 2017 and responded to on 22 June 2017.
• The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald does not hold records on time taken by Departments to prepare parliamentary answers.
• Individual Government Departments may hold their own records regarding this data.
• The response advises clarifying whether the request refers to the House of Keys sitting on 13 June or the Tynwald Court sitting on 20 June.
• The refusal was issued under section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Data Disclosed

• 10 June 2017
• 13 June 2017
• 20 June 2017
• 22 June 2017
• IM91046I
• 01624 685520
• IM1 3PW

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Page 1 www.tynwald.org.im

22/06/2017

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) REFERENCE NUMBER: IM91046I

Thank you for your request dated 10th June 2017.

Your request

You asked for: “What cost of civil servants time in preparing answers to the questions contained on the Tynwald Order Paper for the 13th June 2017. The cost to be in accordance with the number of questions as set out on the Order Paper.”

Response to your request

Under section 11(3)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 we are refusing your request on the grounds that a practical refusal reason exists, namely that the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald does not hold the information that you have requested.

The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald has no information regarding the time taken by Departments in preparing answers to parliamentary questions. Individual Government Departments may hold their own records but it is not recorded for this Office. If approaching a Department with this request, you may also wish to clarify whether you are referring to the 13th June 2017 sitting of the House of Keys or the 20th June 2017 sitting of Tynwald Court.

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 to Roger Phillips, Clerk of Tynwald at r.phillips@tynwald.org.im or the address above. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website. 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:

Legislative Buildings Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PW British Isles

Telephone: 01624 685520

Office of the Clerk of Tynwald Oik Cleragh Tinvaal

Oikyn Slattyssagh Doolish Ellan Vannin IM1 3PW Ny Ellanyn Goaldagh

Chellvane: 01624 685520

Page 2

1 Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; 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 rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://www.inforights.im/

Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Isle of Man Government website: https://www.gov.im/foi

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely Email | foi@tynwald.org.im