Dr Geraint Bevan

Email: [FOI #6840 email]

Reference:  FOICR 11128/09

Date: 25 February 2009

Dear Dr Bevan,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your email of 30 January in which you ask for information related to the areas being considered as “beacon areas” for the early deployment of ID cards, and the criteria used for the initial selection for consideration and final selection.

Your request has been handled in accordance with the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We believe that the information that you have asked for is already reasonably accessible to you. It can be accessed on the Identity and Passport Service website on the following link:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090209/debtext/90209-0002.htm#0902097000021

Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act exempts the Identity and Passport Service from complying with the duty to supply you with this information on the grounds that it is already in the public domain. Should you have difficulties in accessing this information by the means listed above please do not hesitate to contact me again.

However if you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review of any aspect of our handling of your application by submitting your complaint to the address below and quoting  reference number 11128/09:

Information Rights Team
Information and Record Management Service
Home Office
4th Floor, Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Email: [email address]

During the internal review the department's handling of your information request will be reassessed by members of staff who were not involved in providing you with this response.

Should you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you will have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Yours faithfully,

On behalf of James Hall

Chief Executive & Registrar General

Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).

Email us at [email address]. Visit our website at www.ips.gov.uk.

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