Acknowledgement

Ruth Ludbrook

Department of Communities and Local Government

Ashdown House

123 Victoria Street

LONDON SW1E 6DE

0207 944 8392

[email address]

Dear Kevin

Re: Celebration of St George's Day

FOI Ref 3065: Target response date 13 May 2009

I am writing in response to your request for information of 13 April, about any plans the Department had to celebrate St George's Day. Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I can confirm that Communities and Local Government does hold the information that you have requested and that I am able to provide you with the following information. Annex A shows an article, published on our staff intranet, which drew attention to the national day and also listed the ways in which the day was marked by the Department.

Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained the attached leaflet. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the authority's review

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

Ruth Ludbrook

Annex A

Intranet Article for 23 April

St George's Day Celebrations

Thursday 23rd April is St George's Day, and Hazel Blears has written to all local authority chief executives in England to encourage them to mark the occasion.

She wrote: "Marking England's national day should be a time when we all reflect what is good about our community. This is also a great way to bring people together."

To mark St George's Day at Eland House, there will be a special St George's Day menu in the canteen, and the flag of St George, as well as the Union flag, will be flown.