Freedom of Information

 

Freedom of Information Act

 

Received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It establishes a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exceptions to that right, and places a number of obligations on public authorities.

 

 


The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2000

Received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It establishes a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exceptions to that right, and places a number of obligations on public authorities. The Act applies to a large number of public authorities, including Government Departments and NDPBs. When access rights under the Act come into force in January 2005 you will be entitled, on making a request for information to the Council (unless the information falls under one of the specific exemptions of the Act) to:

  • be informed in writing by the Department whether it holds information of the description specified in your request; and
  • have that information communicated to you, if that is the case.
  • the Act provides a time limit for dealing with a request for information - that is, within 20 working days.

The Act also provides for an appeal mechanism whereby you may apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision as to whether a specified request was dealt with in accordance with the Act.

 

A fee may be charged for processing requests for information under the Act.

 

Requesting information from the MRC

If the information you require cannot be accessed through our Publication Scheme or elsewhere in our website or publications you can make a request in writing. To help us provide the information you require please outline your request as clearly as possible and provide any relevant dates or names.


 Making a complaint

If you are not satisfied that we have dealt with your request in an appropriate manner you may appeal using the MRC complaints procedure.

 

If after receiving the Complaints Officer's reply you remain dissatisfied, you may contact the Information Commissioner. Details of how to take your complaint further can be found on the Information Commissioner's website.


MRC policy on FoI and peer review

The MRC has adopted a RCUK peer review framework framework for answering questions about our confidential peer-review process, which has been developed by a working group of the Research Councils UK.



 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all public authorities designated under the Act have an obligation to adopt and maintain a publication scheme.

 

The aim of the publication scheme is to set out:

  • The classes of information the institution publishes
  • The manner in which the information is or is intended to be published
  • whether the material is, or is intended to be, made available to the public free of charge or on payment
  • MRC freedom of information publication scheme provides greater detail of MRC's responsibility and your rights under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Details of MRC's approach to FoIA 2000 and how to request information from Medical Research Council can be found on Freedom of information (FoI) and other Disclosure Acts page.

 

If you wish to make an enquiry concerning the MRC Human Genetics Unit you should address it to:

 

FoI.Officer@hgu.mrc.ac.uk

Freedom of information Officer
MRC Human Genetics Unit
Western General Hospital
Crewe Road
Edinburgh EH4 2XU