Legal definition of a caravan

Summary

The requester asked for the legal definition of a caravan following restrictions on permanent imports to the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure refused to send the information directly, citing that it is already reasonably accessible to the public via a provided link to Tynwald legislation.

Key Facts

• The request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding the legal definition of a caravan.
• The authority stated that new caravans are no longer allowed to be imported permanently to the island.
• Information was withheld under Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 because it is already reasonably accessible.
• The requester was directed to a specific PDF link on the Tynwald website containing the legislation.
• The case was closed on 14 May 2024 with the outcome 'No information sent - all held but exempt'.
• The requester noted a previous attempt to obtain this information via email in February 2023 was ignored.

Data Disclosed

• 3853973
• 2024-05-13
• 2024-05-14
• February 2023
• Section 20
• 2015
• 2015-SD-0137
• IM1 2RF
• (01624) 686785

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

Hello, Having previously tried to get this information via email and been ignored (from February 2023), can the information be provided for the following: As new caravans are no longer allowed to be imported permanently to the island, can the government provide the legal definition of a caravan - having the read the legislation when the edict was issued it did not state what is a caravan.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 3853973 14 May 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 13 May 2024, which states:

"Hello,

Having previously tried to get this information via email and been ignored (from February 2023), can the information be provided for the following:

As new caravans are no longer allowed to be imported permanently to the island, can the government provide the legal definition of a caravan - having the read the legislation when the edict was issued it did not state what is a caravan."

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 to the public under the following link

https://www.tynwald.org.im/spfile?file=/links/tls/SD/2015/2015-SD- 0137.pdf Please quote the reference number 3853973 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.