Lord Oxburgh's report

The request was successful.

Andrew Montford

Dear Department for Business, Innovation and Skills,

I am interested in the appointment of Lord Oxburgh's panel, which inquired into the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia.

Did the government chief scientist, Professor Beddington, play any part in the appointment of the panel or its deliberations?

If so please provide copies of related correspondence or documentation.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Montford

FOI Requests, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

BIS ref: 10/0744

Dear Mr Montford,

Thank you for your request for information which was received on 20 April.
Your request has been passed on to the appropriate official at the
Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to deal with.

Best wishes,
Hannah

Hannah Hodgson | Freedom of Information Adviser | Information Rights Unit
| Department for Business, Innovation & Skills | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria
Street, London, SW1E 6SW | [1]www.bis.gov.uk

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for business
success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone
the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will foster
world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS -
Investing in our future

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Montford
[[2]mailto:[FOI #33104 email]]
Sent: 20 April 2010 08:06
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Lord Oxburgh's report

Dear Department for Business, Innovation and Skills,

I am interested in the appointment of Lord Oxburgh's panel, which
inquired into the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East
Anglia.

Did the government chief scientist, Professor Beddington, play any
part in the appointment of the panel or its deliberations?

If so please provide copies of related correspondence or
documentation.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Montford

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FOI Requests, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

2 Attachments

Ref: FOI 10/0744

Dear Mr Montford

Thank you for your email of 20 April regarding the appointment of Lord
Oxburgh's panel, which considered key science publications from the
University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit.

The appointment process and selection conducted by UEA was informed by
advice from the Royal Society, to ensure appropriate rigour, expertise and
objectivity.

As part of proper practice, in putting together a high quality panel the
UEA leadership also took soundings on potential members, including
candidates for the role of chair, from senior figures in the scientific
community. As the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor
Beddington was one of those consulted. Professor Beddington offered two
names of possible candidates to lead the Review, one of which was Lord
Oxburgh.

He also proposed the inclusion of Prof David Hands, President of the Royal
Statistical Society, as someone well qualified to contribute.

In addition, at UEA's subsequent request, Prof Beddington provided his
good offices to encourage these candidates to give positive consideration
to an approach by UEA.

Copies of two email exchanges are enclosed, related to these points.

<<FOI 100744 attachment 1.pdf>> <<FOI 100744 attachment 2.pdf>>

Professor Beddington had no further involvement in the review, its
decisions or its outcomes. Indeed, he first read about the outcome of the
review when it was reported in the press.

Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act provides an absolute
exemption for personal data which then falls to be dealt with under the
Data Protection Act. Personal data of third parties can only be disclosed
in accordance with the data protection principles. In particular, the
first data protection principle requires that disclosure must be fair and
lawful and must comply with one of the conditions in Schedule 2 of the
Data Protection Act. Those parts of the email correspondence enclosed
that have been redacted relate to personal data for junior members of
staff or third parties, and where we do not think that any of the relevant
conditions apply.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
original letter and should be addressed to [email address]

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF

Yours sincerely

Information Rights Unit

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills |
[1][email address] | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria Street, London,
SW1E 6SW | [2]www.bis.gov.uk

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for business
success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone
the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will foster
world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS -
Investing in our future

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Andrew Montford

Dear FOI Requests,

Many thanks for this. Could you please advise whether this is all of the correspondence related to the Oxburgh inquiry. For example, I would have expected to receive the correspondence between Prof Beddington and Lord Oxburgh.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

Andrew Montford

Dear FOI Requests,

Further to my last message, I note also that the attachments to Prof Davies' email of 4 March to Prof Beddington have not been supplied. I would like to see these too.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

FOI Requests, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

BIS ref: 10/1102

Dear Mr Montford,

Thank you for your two emails which was received on 19 May, related to
your original request about Lord Oxburgh's report. This will be treated
as a new request, hence the new reference number.
Your request has been passed on to the appropriate official at the
Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to deal with.

Best wishes,
Hannah

Hannah Hodgson | Freedom of Information Adviser | Information Rights Unit
| Department for Business, Innovation & Skills | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria
Street, London, SW1E 6SW | [1]www.bis.gov.uk

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for business
success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone
the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will foster
world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS -
Investing in our future

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Montford
[[2]mailto:[FOI #33104 email]]
Sent: 19 May 2010 20:50
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Lord Oxburgh's report

Dear FOI Requests,

Further to my last message, I note also that the attachments to
Prof Davies' email of 4 March to Prof Beddington have not been
supplied. I would like to see these too.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Montford
[[3]mailto:[FOI #33104 email]]
Sent: 19 May 2010 20:20
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Lord Oxburgh's report

Dear FOI Requests,

Many thanks for this. Could you please advise whether this is all
of the correspondence related to the Oxburgh inquiry. For example,
I would have expected to receive the correspondence between Prof
Beddington and Lord Oxburgh.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government
Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless
Worldwide in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number
2009/09/0052.) On leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free.
Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

References

Visible links
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2. mailto:[FOI #33104 email]
3. mailto:[FOI #33104 email]

hide quoted sections

Andrew Montford

Dear Hannah,

I'm sorry, but this is in no way a new request. I am asking for the information that should have been supplied to me in the first place, not new information.

Could you please either confirm this or put me in contact with somebody more senior in your department.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

David Jones left an annotation ()

A Steve McIntyre has transcribed some of the e-mails. Mostly accurately:

============

March 9, 2010
To – Trevor Davies; John Beddington
From DELETED
Cc: Nick Grout BIS GO – Science
Following your phone conversation last night, John wanted to let you know that he has spoken to David Hand, who was in agreement with John’s suggestions (and therefore has been “warmed up”)
DELETED
Private Secretary to John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser

============

From Trevor Davies
To: Beddington
Re CRU Science Assessment Panel
Dear John
As you know Ron Oxburgh has agreed to do this. Thank you for the intial suggestion! He has cleared April 6/7/8 in his diary for a 2-day session at UEA, and anticipates writing the report on the last day.
We have a list of 12/13 names, approved by the Royal Soc, covering a range of interests and “attitudes” toward global warming. Ron has decided the first we should approach for his panel of 6-7 are (xxxxxx- expurgated- xxxxx
Michael Kelly; Herbert Huppert mathematician Cambridge, David Hand FBA Imperial; Kerry Emanual meteorologist MIT, Huw Davies ETH Zurich; Lisa Graumluich, tre ring analyst Univ Arizona
Ron is keen that they are “warmed up” by influential people rather than us inviting them cold. Martin Rees is asking Ralph Cicerone (President NAS) to approach the Americans, Brian Hoskins will approach Huw Davies, Ron himself is talking to Kelly and Huppert.
I wonder if you would be prepared to “warm up” David Hand – on the basis that you know him and you suggested him!
We are most keen, if at all possible, that we can hit the April 6/7/8 window and I’m sure you will be very persuasive in convincing him that this is an important job for science, etc.
For background I attach 1) a draft letter which will be sent to David by Ron 2) a list of the papers we anticipate will be examined
David’s contact details are xxx
If you are able to help, I will be very grateful.
Best, Trevor

Andrew Montford

Dear Department for Business, Innovation and Skills,

Please respond to my previous message.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Montford

Llewellyn Caroline \(CD\), Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Dear Mr Montford

Thank you for your email. I can confirm that you will receive a reply to
your previous message shortly.

Kind Regards

Information Rights Unit
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills |
[1][email address] | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria Street, London,
SW1E 6SW | [2]www.bis.gov.uk

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for business
success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone
the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will foster
world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS -
Investing in our future

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Montford
[[3]mailto:[FOI #33104 email]]
Sent: 10 June 2010 22:07
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Lord Oxburgh's report

Dear Department for Business, Innovation and Skills,

Please respond to my previous message.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Montford

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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your web manager to suggest us on your organisation's FOI page.
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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
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References

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hide quoted sections

FOI Requests, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

3 Attachments

Ref: FOI 10/0744
Dear Mr Montford,
Thank you for your further emails, both of 19 May, requesting
additional information regarding Lord Oxburgh's recent inquiry into key
science publications from the University of East Anglia's Climate
Research Unit. 

Specifically, you have asked for: (i) the attachments referred to in Prof
Davis's email to Professor Beddington of 4 March (which you have 
previously been sent), and (ii) any other correspondence related to the
Inquiry, noting in particular communications with Lord Oxburgh.  

Your earlier request referred to the appointment process and Panel's
deliberations.
Please find enclosed:  
    1.  the attachments referred to in (i). This comprises the draft
of a letter that UEA envisaged would be sent to Lord Oxburgh inviting him
to lead the review, plus a provisional list of those science papers that
might be considered. Professor Beddington had no comment to make on
these attachments [Apologies that these had become disconnected from the
IT record and were not considered for release previously]  

<<SAPdraft_invitation.pdf>> <<SAP3.pdf>>

    2.  a copy of one further email exchange, dated 14 April, in
which Professor Beddington briefly thanked Lord Oxburgh for
his contribution on hearing that the review had been completed, as he
had encouraged Lord Oxburgh to consider positively UEA's request that he
might lead the work.     

<<Email exchange 140410.pdf>>
Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act provides an absolute
exemption for personal data which then falls to be dealt with under the
Data Protection Act. Personal data of third parties can only be disclosed
in accordance with the data protection principles. In particular, the
first data protection principle requires that disclosure must be fair and
lawful and must comply with one of the conditions in Schedule 2 of the
Data Protection Act. Those parts of the email correspondence enclosed
that have been redacted relate to personal data for junior members of
staff, and where we do not think that any of the relevant conditions
apply.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
original letter and should be addressed to: [1][email address]

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF

Yours sincerely

Information Rights Unit
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills |
[2][email address] | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria Street, London,
SW1E 6SW | [3]www.bis.gov.uk

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for business
success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone
the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will foster
world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS -
Investing in our future

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Montford
[[4]mailto:[FOI #33104 email]]
Sent: 19 May 2010 20:50
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Lord Oxburgh's report

Dear FOI Requests,

Further to my last message, I note also that the attachments to
Prof Davies' email of 4 March to Prof Beddington have not been
supplied. I would like to see these too.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Montford
[[5]mailto:[FOI #33104 email]]
Sent: 19 May 2010 20:20
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Lord Oxburgh's report

Dear FOI Requests,

Many thanks for this. Could you please advise whether this is all
of the correspondence related to the Oxburgh inquiry. For example,
I would have expected to receive the correspondence between Prof
Beddington and Lord Oxburgh.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government
Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless
Worldwide in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number
2009/09/0052.) On leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free.
Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.bis.gov.uk/
4. mailto:[FOI #33104 email]
5. mailto:[FOI #33104 email]

hide quoted sections

Andrew Montford

Dear FOI Requests,

I'm sorry, but there still appear to be some correspondence missing. In the email of 23 March, Prof Beddington thanks Prof Davies for "information about the announcement". It is not clear to me that this message from Prof Davies has been supplied.

Please could you check this and ensure that there is no further correspondence from Prof Beddington concerning the Oxburgh panel that is still to be disclosed. I would appreciate positive confirmation that you have disclosed everything.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

FOI Requests, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

FOI 10/0744

Dear Mr Montford

Thank you for your further email. There is no further correspondence
from Prof Beddington regarding Lord Oxburgh's Panel.

Yours sincerely
Information Rights Unit
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills |
[1][email address] | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria Street, London,
SW1E 6SW | [2]www.bis.gov.uk

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for business
success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone
the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will foster
world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS -
Investing in our future

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Montford
[[3]mailto:[FOI #33104 email]]
Sent: 15 June 2010 22:24
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request - Lord Oxburgh's report

Dear FOI Requests,

I'm sorry, but there still appear to be some correspondence
missing. In the email of 23 March, Prof Beddington thanks Prof
Davies for "information about the announcement". It is not clear to
me that this message from Prof Davies has been supplied.

Please could you check this and ensure that there is no further
correspondence from Prof Beddington concerning the Oxburgh panel
that is still to be disclosed. I would appreciate positive
confirmation that you have disclosed everything.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford

-----Original Message-----

Ref: FOI 10/0744
Dear Mr Montford,
Thank you for your further emails, both of 19 May, requesting
additional information regarding Lord Oxburgh's recent inquiry
into key
science publications from the University of East Anglia's Climate
Research Unit.

Specifically, you have asked for: (i) the attachments referred to
in Prof
Davis's email to Professor Beddington of 4 March (which you have
previously been sent), and (ii) any other correspondence related
to the
Inquiry, noting in particular communications with Lord Oxburgh.

Your earlier request referred to the appointment process and
Panel's
deliberations.
Please find enclosed:
1. the attachments referred to in (i). This comprises the
draft
of a letter that UEA envisaged would be sent to Lord Oxburgh
inviting him
to lead the review, plus a provisional list of those science
papers that
might be considered. Professor Beddington had no comment to make
on
these attachments [Apologies that these had become disconnected
from the
IT record and were not considered for release previously]

<<SAPdraft_invitation.pdf>> <<SAP3.pdf>>

2. a copy of one further email exchange, dated 14 April, in
which Professor Beddington briefly thanked Lord Oxburgh for
his contribution on hearing that the review had been completed, as
he
had encouraged Lord Oxburgh to consider positively UEA's request
that he
might lead the work.

<<Email exchange 140410.pdf>>
Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act provides an absolute
exemption for personal data which then falls to be dealt with
under the
Data Protection Act. Personal data of third parties can only be
disclosed
in accordance with the data protection principles. In particular,
the
first data protection principle requires that disclosure must be
fair and
lawful and must comply with one of the conditions in Schedule 2 of
the
Data Protection Act. Those parts of the email correspondence
enclosed
that have been redacted relate to personal data for junior members
of
staff, and where we do not think that any of the relevant
conditions
apply.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you
have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests
should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response
to your
original letter and should be addressed to: [1][email address]

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review,
you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information
Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9
5AF

Yours sincerely

Information Rights Unit
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills |
[2][email address] | Bay 351, 66-74 Victoria Street, London,
SW1E 6SW | [3]www.bis.gov.uk

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is building
a
dynamic and competitive UK economy by creating the conditions for
business
success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving
everyone
the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this we will
foster
world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS -
Investing in our future

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[4]http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about...

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #33104 email]

If you find WhatDoTheyKnow useful as an FOI officer, please ask
your web manager to suggest us on your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

This email was received from the INTERNET and scanned by the Government
Secure Intranet anti-virus service supplied by Cable&Wireless Worldwide
in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.)
In case of problems, please call your organisation's IT Helpdesk.
Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government
Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless
Worldwide in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number
2009/09/0052.) On leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free.
Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.bis.gov.uk/
3. mailto:[FOI #33104 email]
4. http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about...

hide quoted sections

Andrew Montford

Dear FOI Requests,

I refer to our previous correspondence on this thread. In file FOI 100744 attachment 2.pdf there is an email from Prof Davies to Prof Beddington on 4 March 2010 at 16:43.

There is a redaction in the second paragraph of this message which I think may have been made in error. Could you please check this and either release the relevant information or alternatively explain the nature of the information redacted and the exemption used to support the redaction.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Montford