communication with Charles Arthur

Our Ref: 72347

Dear Mr Watson

Request for information

Thank you for your email dated 6 October 2009 'Freedom of Information
request - communication with Charles Arthur' "requesting any briefing
papers, emails or any other documents relating to Charles Arthur of the
Guardian and the media interest as to the identity of the
"internationally recognised expert"

Please note that Ordnance Survey is considering your request under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). As your request was received by
us on 6th October 2009 we will provide you with a full response within
20 working days as required by the FOIA, meaning by 3 November 2009.
In the meantime, if you have any further questions please contact
Heather Pearson.

Thank you for your enquiry

Heather

Heather Pearson

On behalf of Information Access Manager (T Gray)

Customer Service Centre, Ordnance Survey
C454, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, SO16 4GU
Phone: +44 (0) 2380 305685 Fax: +44 (0) 23 80792615
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk [Ordnance Survey request email]

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email

show quoted sections

Dear Mr Watson

FOI Response - Communication with Charles Arthur - Ref: 72347

Thank you for your email dated 6 October 2009 requesting:

Please provide me with any briefing papers, emails or any other documents
relating to Charles Arthur of the Guardian and the media interest as to
the identity of the "internationally recognised expert".

I am particularly interested in the discussion that may have taken place
in regard to his enquiry about the status of the "internationally
recognised expert."

Where possible, I would like to see the advice that was given to civil
servants, ministers and the shareholder executive about this matter.

Finally, if you reveal the identity of the "internationally recognised
expert, I would appreciate it."

I am pleased to provide you with the information attached to this e-mail,
with regard to your request.

Please be aware that not all the relevant information Ordnance Survey
holds has been provided within this response, as parts of it fall within
the Personal information exemption under section 40 (2) (a) of the Freedom
of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

We believe this exemption applies because there is an expectation among
staff (both permanent and temporary) working for Ordnance Survey that they
will not have their names made publicly available. With regard to the
`International expert', we believe this exemption also applies as Ordnance
Survey has specifically been requested to withhold their name in this
instance. Those names which have been provided are those already
available in our Annual report, known to the national and local press, or
whose details may be found within the Civil Service Year Book 2008. We
will therefore, not be releasing personal information which might identify
the `International expert' or members of Ordnance Survey staff.

Correspondence with and about Charles Arthur's enquiries of Ordnance
Survey on the "internationally recognised expert" involved only Ordnance
Survey staff and Mr Arthur. No briefings, emails or any other documents
were communicated to other civil servants, the Shareholder Executive or
Ministers on this matter.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed to Freedom of Information
guidelines. As section 40 (2) (a) applies to this case, which is an
Absolute exemption, the Public interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is
not applicable in this instance.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed to Freedom of Information
guidelines. If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal
to our Appeals Officer at:

Complaints Team
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Romsey Road
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 4GU

Please include the reference number above. The Appeals Officer will ensure
that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions
taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of
additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Yours sincerely

Phil Watts

Phil Watts

Head of Corporate Affairs

Corporate Office
Ordnance Survey

C 335, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, SO16 4GU

Phone: +44 (0) 23 8079 2300 | Mobile: +44 (0) 7747 756626 | Fax: +44 (0)
23 8079 2330

[1]www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk | [2][email address]

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email.

This email is only intended for the person to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential information. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email which must not be copied, distributed or disclosed to any other person.

Unless stated otherwise, the contents of this email are personal to the writer and do not represent the official view of Ordnance Survey. Nor can any contract be formed on Ordnance Survey's behalf via email. We reserve the right to monitor emails and attachments without prior notice.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ordnance Survey
Romsey Road
Southampton SO16 4GU
Tel: 08456 050505
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

References

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