FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your email of query received on 28 July 2009 which has been passed to me in order that I may assist you.

You have requested assistance obtaining:

“information about the Department's staffing and funding for publicity and communications (including any contracted-out services of this description). I would like this information broken down annually for the past three years up to the time this request is answered. The years may be financial or calendar, whichever is convenient, but please keep them consistent.

Specifically, I need:

1. The number of staff (full-time equivalent) working in marketing,

external communications and press offices.

2. The number of dedicated Freedom of Information officers

(full-time equivalent).

3. Total staffing cost of marketing, external communications and

press officers.

4. Total staffing cost of dedicated Freedom of Information staff.

5. Total spending on marketing, external communications and press

offices.

6. Total spending on Freedom of Information.

7. If the department produces a newsletter then the name of this

publication and all associated costs.”

I have considered your request, and in accordance with section 1(1)(a) of the Act I can confirm that in we hold some of the information requested.

In regards to Question 1, we have no staff working in marketing or external communications. In 2008/09 we currently have 2 permanent and 2 contractors working in the Press Office, in 2007/08 we had 1 permanent and 2 contractor and in 2006/07 we had 2 contractor's.

In regards to Question 2, as the Attorney Generals Office is a small Government department, we do not employ any dedicated Freedom of Information Officers and as a result I'm afraid we will be unable to answer question 4.

In regards to Question 3 the total staffing costs (including contractors) for the Press Office for 2008/09 is £173,413.00. 2007/08 - £184,716.55 and 2006/07 - £32,541.12

In dealing with Question 5, we would be forced to exceed the appropriate limit on costs incurred as set out at Section 12 of the Act (Exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit). You may therefore wish to refine your request to narrow its scope. I should add that, should you submit a narrower request, this does not mean that we will or will not be able to disclose the information you are asking for.

In regards to Question 6, the total spending on FOI is zero.

In regards to Question 7, the Attorney Generals Office does not produce a newsletter.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to: Peter Fish, Director General, at the above address.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

James Ross

Freedom of Information Officer

2

Attorney General's Office

Attorney General's Chambers

20 Victoria Street

London SW1H 0NF