Annex A

Annex A

Dear Jo

Thank you for your request dated 31 January 2009 asking:

Please provide a copy of information held within the DWP FOI tracking system, relating to requests made to the Government Equalities Office.

I understand that this department was comprised in part from DWP and that DWP provides support services.

Specifically, i) does DWP provide a FOI tracking system to the Government Equalities Office, ii) if not, at what point did the DWP cease providing such a service and iii) please provide a copy of all records held relating to the Government Equalities Office within the FOI tracking system, identifying the date requests were made, date answered and subject of the request.

DWP has never provided an FOI tracking system to the Government Equalities Office (GEO). We therefore do not hold any of the information you require.

The GEO is a separate Government department reporting to the Ministers for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman, Maria Eagle and Vera Baird.

If you would like to know about the GEO's FOI system, please contact them direct. I have attached a link to the `Contact Us' section of their website for ease of reference; details of their FoI procedures and email address for FoI queries appear near the bottom of the page.

http://www.equalities.gov.uk/about_geo/corporate_information/contact_us.aspx

I hope this is helpful.

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

If you are not satisfied with my handling of your request please tell me why within two calendar months of the date of this letter. I will then arrange for someone to conduct an internal review of your request and the handling of it. The review will be conducted by another officer, usually of a more senior grade to me. This person will have taken no part in the original handling of your request. You will be advised you of the reviewing officer's decision in writing.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner to look into the way your request has been handled. Please note that generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have first exhausted DWP's own complaints procedure. The Commissioner can be contacted at:

FoI Complaints Resolution

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Fax: 01625 524 510

Email: [email address]

Yours sincerely

DWP Central FoI Team

DWP Central Freedom of Information Team

e-mail: [DWP request email]

Our Ref: VTR169

27 February 2009