Request for further details re international expert

The request was refused by Ordnance Survey.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I note that in a previous FOI request you said that the "internationally recognised expert" (so described by the OS) who reviewed the internal study on International Funding Models is a foreign national who is or has been employed by a foreign National Mapping Association (NMA). You have indicated that the person does not want to be identified.

Please could you provide the following information, none of which identifies the person:

1) which NMA employed or employs them, and is the employment ongoing?

2) if the employment is no longer ongoing, when did it end?

3) Is the person male or female?

Yours faithfully,

Charles Arthur

Customer Services, Ordnance Survey

Our Ref: 71778

Dear Mr Arthur,

Request for information

Thank you for your email dated 5 August 2009, requesting "further
details re international 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 5 August 2009, we will provide you with a full response within 20
working days as required by the FOIA, meaning by 3 September 2009.

In the meantime, if you have any further questions please contact
Customer Services and quote the refernce number provided above.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Customer Services on behalf of:
Tony Gray
Freedom of Information Practitioner
Customer Service Centre, Ordnance Survey C454, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON,
United Kingdom, SO16 4GU
Phone: +44 (0) 8456 050505
Fax: +44 (0) 23 8079 2615
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk | [Ordnance Survey request email]
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Tony Gray, Ordnance Survey

Dear Charles

Ordnance Survey reference: 71778

Thank you for your email dated 5 August 2005 requesting further
information concerning the “internationally recognised expert”,
namely:

Please could you provide the following information, none of which
identifies the person:

1) which NMA employed or employs them, and is the employment
ongoing?

2) if the employment is no longer ongoing, when did it end?

3) Is the person male or female?

I can confirm that Ordnance Survey does hold this information,
however I regret to inform you that your request falls within the
Personal information exemption under section 40 (2) (a) of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). We believe this exemption
applies because in our reasonable opinion the provision of the
information requested would prejudice the anonymity of the
individual and would serve to substantively assist in identifying
them and remove their anonymity. As has been pointed out previously
the individual does not wish their identity to be disclosed,
therefore we will not be releasing this information to you. With
regard to this matter, we will also take the same approach with any
further requests that, in our opinion, prejudice the anonymity of,
or substantively assist in identifying the individual concerned.

To the extent that the Public interest test applies (section 17
FOIA), we have determined that in all the circumstances of the
case, the public interest in this instance does not apply, section
40 being an Absolute exemption

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

Tony Gray Information Access Manager (Freedom of Information/Data
Protection/Records) Ordnance Survey Rm C363, Romsey Road,
SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, SO16 4GU Phone: +44 (0) 23 8079 2540|
Mobile: +44 (0) 7789 617648| Fax: +44 (0) 23 8079 2572
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ | [email address]