Dear Sir/Madam

Internal Review- Freedom of Information Request

I write in response to the Internal Review request you made on 18 May 2009 in relation to a Freedom of Information request dated 20 April 2009. The Internal Review has been passed to me as I handle Internal Reviews on Ministry of Justice Freedom of Information requests.

The purpose of the Internal Review is to assess how the Freedom of Information request was handled in the first instance. I understand from the letter that was sent out to you on May 18 that two documents were attached for your information. I have noted the concern you expressed in your Internal Review request in which you questioned why the information supplied to you did not directly relate to your Freedom of Information request.

Following the Internal Review, I have established that the material provided to you has addressed your Freedom of Information request. My reasoning follows.

Your Freedom of Information request asked about a question that was directed to Lord Bach by Lord Maclennan on 2 April 2009. The subject of the question was the potential for a centralised database which would detail `communication data concerning e-mails, telephone communication and the internet'. The document you received was the answer prepared by Lord Bach in response to this very question; however it was addressed to Baroness Hanham CBE, rather than Lord Maclennan.

It is common practice that the response to questions put forward in the House of Lords, are addressed to the Lord or Baroness that is responsible for that subject area. In this case, the answer to the question, although addressed by Lord Maclennan falls into Baroness Hanham CBEs working area. These written answers were provided to you in the second document which was circulated to all the Lords that took place is the debate, including Lord Maclennan.

You will notice that Lord Maclennan's question is the first question on the document. The rest of the questions and answers may also be of interest to you as they all relate to the same subject area.

I have enclosed the letter and supporting document for you information.

I am satisfied that your Freedom of Information request was handled correctly and that all the information you requested has been provided to you. I hope I have clarified the concerns you expressed in your Internal Review request. If you are dissatisfied with the result of your Internal Review, you have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner's Office under Section 50 of the FOIA. You can contact the Information Commissioner's Office at the following address:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Internet: https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx

Yours sincerely

Hannah Wright

Data Access & Compliance Unit