4 June 2007

National School of Government

Sunningdale Park

Larch Avenue
Ascot
SL5 0QE

[National School of Government request email]

4 June 2007

Dear Sir/Madam,

Freedom of Information Act Requests

I would like to make two requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

Both requests refers to Training Courses provided to Ministers by the National School of Government and follow on from a letter I have received from David Spender, Principal and Chief Executive of the National School of Government, which lists ten events which have been offered as part of the National School of Government's `Ministerial Learning and Development' since May 2005.

Request #1

I would like to request details of all training courses which have been offered to Ministers by the National School of Government since May 1997.

For each course, I would like to know:

Request #2

As a second request under the Act, I would like to request copies of any handouts that were given to Ministers during each of the ten courses that have been offered since May 2005.

Public Interest Test

I believe there is a strong public interest in releasing this information, as it will promote accountability and transparency in those who hold public office. It will also promote greater understanding of the courses offered to Ministers, as well as the use of public money.

In particular, I think there is a strong public interest in revealing which Ministers have attended each course. Ministerial training is funded by the taxpayer, and who has attended which course is a legitimate source of interest and scrutiny for Parliament, and the public.

Processing this Request

I would like to receive this information either by email or by post, sent to the address at the top of this letter.

I note the duty to provide advice and assistance under Section 16 of the FoI Act and the DCA's guidance on fees which states, `if a request is particularly wide-ranging, and therefore likely to be expensive to answer, the authority should consider discussing this with the applicant and see if the question could be refined to a more manageable level, or resubmitted in part, to bring it below the appropriate limit.' Please contact me if this will be necessary to bring either of my requests under the fees limit.

I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of this correspondence and provide me with an FOI reference number as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully,