communications with the Royal Family

John Cross made this Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Justice

The request was refused by Ministry of Justice.

From: John Cross

11 June 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 ("the Act").

Please can you provide me with copies of all "communications with
Her Majesty, other members of the Royal Family or the Royal
Household" held which took place on or after 1 January 2008.

If you require clarification of my meaning the terms in the above
request mean the same as in the Act. Please include any
communications from legal representatives of the above persons.

I am aware of the Section 37 exemption contained in the Act but I
am also aware that the exemption is not absolute and that its use
is subject to a public interest test.

I would expect a list of dates for any correspondence not
disclosed.

I am particularly interested in any representations Her Majesty,
other members of the Royal Family or the Royal Household might have
made in respect of Freedom of Information.

I would remind you that there is a massive public interest in any
representations made by an unelected monarchy to a department
responsible for justice.

Yours faithfully,

John Cross

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From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

16 June 2009


Attachment 59922 Cross.DOC.doc
51K Download View as HTML


Dear Mr Cross,

Please find attached your Freedom of Information request.

Yours sincerely

Katie Dimon

Data Access and Compliance Unit

Zone 6B

Post point 6.25

102 Petty France

London

SW1H 9AJ

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From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

16 June 2009


Attachment 59926 Cross.DOC.doc
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Dear Mr Cross,

Please find attached your acknowledgement to your Freedom of Information
request.

Yours sincerely

Katie Dimon

Data Access and Compliance Unit

Zone 6B

Post point 6.25

102 Petty France

London

SW1H 9AJ

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the
addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not
permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

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deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail.

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From: Austen, Lydia
Ministry of Justice

25 June 2009


Attachment FOI Request 59922.doc
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Dear Mr Cross,

Please find attached the response to your recent Freedom of information
request.

Kind regards,

Lydia Austen

Diary Manager to Maria Eagle MP

Ministry of Justice

T- 020 3334 3713 F- 020 3334 3717

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From: John Cross

28 June 2009

Dear Lydia,

Thank you for your email. I have decided to restrict my request to
correspondence in the calendar year 2009.

I will also restrict my request to correspondence to/from the Queen
and the Prince of Wales (and their representatives).

As you know your department has a legal duty to assist me with
making my request and in that context I would be grateful if you
provide any information about how Royal Correspondence is filed,
organised and indexed for example if lists, tables or databases can
be used to help me make my request.

Yours sincerely,

John Cross

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From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

30 June 2009


Attachment 60161 Cross.DOC.doc
50K Download View as HTML


Dear Mr Cross,

Please find attached your acknowledgement to your Freedom of Information
request.

Yours sincerely

Hannah Law

(Sent on behalf of Paul Brigland and Harshila Dodia)

Data Access & Compliance Unit

Postal Point 6.25, Zone B

102 Petty France

London SW1H 9AJ

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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From: Austen, Lydia
Ministry of Justice

23 July 2009


Attachment FOI Request 60161 Cross 2.doc
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Dear Mr Cross,

Please find attached a response to your recent Freedom of Information
request.

Kind regards,

Lydia Austen

Diary Manager to Maria Eagle MP

Ministry of Justice

T- 020 3334 3713 F- 020 3334 3717

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the
addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not
permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

Internet e-mail is not a secure medium. Any reply to this message could be
intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear that in mind when
deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be
monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail
monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read
at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when
composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

show quoted sections

Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

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From: John Cross

23 July 2009

Dear Lydia,

I am writing to request assistance in relation to my Freedom of
Information Act request. Under section 16 of the Act public
authorities have a duty to provide assistance:

"It shall be the duty of a public authority to provide advice and
assistance, so far as it would be reasonable to expect the
authority to do so, to persons who propose to make, or have made,
requests for information to it."

(1) Please can you tell me how many weeks' (or days') worth of
correspondence I would be able to get within the cost limit.

(2) Please can you tell me how Royal correspondence is filed an how
it is indexed.

(3) Please can you advise me as to what tables, lists, databases or
similar exist that are relevant to my request.

Yours sincerely,

John Cross

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From: Williams, Rhian
Ministry of Justice

14 August 2009


Attachment Cross 60161.doc
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Dear Mr. Cross,

Please find attached a response to your recent correspondence.

Regards,

Rhian Williams

Data Access and Compliance Unit|102 Petty France|

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the
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permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
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deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail.

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
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From: John Cross

14 August 2009

Dear Rhian Williams,

I am narrowing my request to:

Any representations made by Her Majesty, other members of the Royal
Family or the Royal Household might have made in respect of UK
Freedom of Information law or policy during the calendar years 2008
and 2009.

In addition I am considering making a second request Please let me
know how many weeks worth of Royal Correspondence (starting from 14
August 2009 working backwards) I can request without exceeding the
cost limit.

regards,

John

Link to this

From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

17 August 2009


Attachment 60842 Cross.DOC.doc
50K Download View as HTML


Dear Mr Cross,

Please find attached your acknowledgement to your Freedom of Information
request.

Yours sincerely

Hannah Law

(sent on behalf of Rhian Williams)

Data Access & Compliance Unit

Postal Point 6.25, Zone B

102 Petty France

London SW1H 9AJ

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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From: John Cross

15 September 2009

Dear Data Access & Compliance Unit,

I never thought I would have to write this but it appears the
Ministry of Justice has broken the law.

By law, the Ministry's response had to be prompt and in any case no
later than 14 September 2009. Please respond in full ASAP.

This is a request for an internal review.
Yours sincerely,

John Cross

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From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

15 September 2009

This is an Auto Reply from the Data Access & Compliance Unit.

Thank you for your e-mail.

If your message was a request for information please be advised that your
request is being dealt with and you will receive a written ackowledgement
shortly.

Data Access & Compliance Unit

Information Directorate

Ministry of Justice
6th Floor, Zone B, Postal Point 6.23
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ

Fax: 0203 334 2245

E-mail: [email address]

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the
addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not
permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

Internet e-mail is not a secure medium. Any reply to this message could be
intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear that in mind when
deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be
monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail
monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read
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composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
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From: Williams, Rhian
Ministry of Justice

15 September 2009


Attachment 60842 Cross A.doc
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To Mr. Cross,

Please find attached a response to your recent request for information.

Regards,

Rhian Williams

Data Access and Compliance Unit|102 Petty France|

020 3334 5336

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the
addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not
permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
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Internet e-mail is not a secure medium. Any reply to this message could be
intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear that in mind when
deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be
monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail
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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
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From: John Cross

15 September 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of
Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Ministry of Justice's
handling of my FOI request 'communications with the Royal Family'.
Please acknowledge receipt of this email.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is
available on the Internet at this address:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/co...

I believe disclosure is in the public interest therefore I do not
accept the outcome of the public interest test. I felt the test
failed to take account of the overwhelming public interest in
ensuring that everyone is equal before the law.

Yours faithfully,

John Cross

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From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

15 September 2009

This is an Auto Reply from the Data Access & Compliance Unit.

Thank you for your e-mail.

If your message was a request for information please be advised that your
request is being dealt with and you will receive a written ackowledgement
shortly.

Data Access & Compliance Unit

Information Directorate

Ministry of Justice
6th Floor, Zone B, Postal Point 6.23
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ

Fax: 0203 334 2245

E-mail: [email address]

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the
addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not
permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

Internet e-mail is not a secure medium. Any reply to this message could be
intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear that in mind when
deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be
monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail
monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read
at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when
composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
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From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

17 September 2009


Attachment 61271 Cross.doc
50K Download View as HTML


Dear Mr Cross,

Please find attached your acknowledgement to your request for an
Internal Review.

Yours Sincerely,

George Lohse

Data access and Compliance Unit

Postal Point 6.25, Zone B

102 Petty France

London SW1H 9AJ

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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From: John Cross

11 October 2009

Dear Data Access & Compliance Unit,

Please could you set out a timetable for responding to my request
for an internal review.

Yours sincerely,

John Cross

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From: Data Access & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice

11 October 2009

This is an Auto Reply from the Data Access & Compliance Unit.

Thank you for your e-mail.

If your message was a request for information please be advised that your
request is being dealt with and you will receive a written acknowledgement
shortly.

Data Access & Compliance Unit

Information Directorate

Ministry of Justice
6th Floor, Zone B, Postal Point 6.23
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ

Fax: 0203 334 2245

E-mail: [email address]

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the
addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not
permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

Internet e-mail is not a secure medium. Any reply to this message could be
intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear that in mind when
deciding whether to send material in response to this message by e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be
monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail
monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read
at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when
composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
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From: Davies, Roger
Ministry of Justice

14 October 2009

Mr Cross,

I apologise for the delay in replying to your request for an Internal
Review into your Freedom of Information Act request.
The review is still ongoing but I hope that I will soon be able to
respond to your request.

Your sincerely

Roger Davies
Internal Review Team
Data Access and Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
0203 334 5493

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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From: Davies, Roger
Ministry of Justice

27 October 2009


Attachment Mr Cross IR.doc
64K Download View as HTML


Mr Cross,

Please find attached the response to the Internal Review that you
requested regarding your freedom of Information Act request.

Yours sincerely

Roger Davies
Internal Review Team
Data Access and Compliance Unit
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
0203 334 5493

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be read at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not broken when composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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Ben Harris left an annotation (18 November 2010)

This request is the subject of ICO's decision notice FS50285971:

"The Commissioner’s decision is that the exemption in section 37(1)(a) is engaged and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs that in disclosure. ... The public authority’s handling of the request also resulted in a breach of a procedural requirement of the Act as identified in this Notice."

http://www.ico.gov.uk/~/media/documents/...

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N. Roberts left an annotation (18 May 2011)

What an utter disgrace!

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