Scientific Advisory Councils

Thank you for your recent email. A reply will be sent to you as soon as
possible (where a response is required). For information, the
departmental standard for correspondence received is that responses
should be sent within 15 working days or 20 working days if you are
requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Your correspondence has been allocated the reference number
2009/0018850.

Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
http://www.dius.gov.uk/index.htm

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Dear Mr Burton
I am writing to confirm that we have now completed our search for the
information you requested on 27 February. A copy of the information which
can be disclosed is enclosed in the format you requested.

I have to advise you that some of the information you requested is being
withheld under Section 40 (Personal Information), of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. Release of this information is regarded as unfair
in personal privacy terms, and would infringe a person's rights under the
Data Protection Act 1988. Section 40 is an absolute exemption - this
means that it is not subject to a public interest balance.

However, in common with most requests for officials' names, I have listed
those at senior civil service level or above, and have sought permission
from the secretariat / chairs of each group to release the names of other
relevant external individuals. Officials whom we know to be below senior
civil service level have been withheld in accordance with the principle
set out above under Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act. Where
group memberships are already listed online (AurAC/SSAC), I have
reproduced these names as there is a clear expectation, as with those
staff at or above senior civil service level, that they are already in the
public domain, or sufficiently public facing for this not to be an
intrusion of their privacy.

I hope you find this information helpful.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision,
you should write to me within two calendar months of the date of this
email.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted our complaints/review
procedure..
Yours sincerely

Alison Jow
Public Communications Unit
[1]www.dius.gov.uk

Your correspondence has been allocated the reference number 2009/0018850.
To correspond by email with the Department for Innovation, Universities
and Skills please contact [2][DIUS request email].

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References

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