Red Book
Dear House of Commons,
Please provide me with a copy of the Red Book (also called: "Duties of the Clerk of a Select Committee").
Yours faithfully,
Mr Cross
Dear Mr Cross,
Thank you for your request for information dated 6th January 2015, received by us on the same date, which is copied below.
We will endeavour to respond to your request promptly but in any case within 20 working days i.e. on or before 3rd February 2015.
If you have any queries about your request, please use the request number quoted in the subject line of this email.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Price | IRIS Support Officer
Information Rights and Information Security (IRIS) Service | House of Commons
Dear Mr Cross,
Freedom of Information Request F15-006
Thank you for your request for information as copied below. You asked for
a copy of the Red Book, which is now called ‘Select Committees: Practice
and Procedure’.
Please find this document and the relevant appendices attached. This
document is still in draft, but is the most up to date version held by the
House.
Please note that some details pertaining to emergency security
arrangements have been redacted.
Information relating to security arrangements has been withheld in
accordance with section 31 (1) (a) and (b) (the exemption for law
enforcement) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as to disclose this
information would be likely to prejudice the prevention and detection of
crime. This is not an absolute exemption and requires a public test to be
performed.
We have considered our obligation to assist the public in understanding
how we conduct our business and the legitimate interest in the use of
resources funded by the taxpayer. These obligations and legitimate
interests are outweighed by the risk of the prejudice that might arise in
relation to the prevention of crime by disclosing the measures we have in
place to prevent criminal activity being undertaken against our estate and
any persons thereon. Disclosure of such information would fail in our
duty to assist those services providing us with law enforcement services
as it would hinder their work in preventing and detecting crime and
apprehending offenders.
Additionally, the information relating to security arrangements is being
withheld under section 38 (health and safety) of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 as to disclose this information would be likely to
endanger the safety of individuals. This is not an absolute exemption and
requires a public test to be performed.
We have considered our obligation to assist the public in understanding
how we conduct our business by operating in an open and accountable manner
and in understanding that sufficient security measures are put in place to
protect those on the Parliamentary Estate. These legitimate interests are
outweighed by the risk of prejudice that might arise in relation to the
health and safety of all those attending select committee events. By
disclosing the measures we have in place to protect their health and
safety we would make it easier for anyone planning to cause harm to that
health and safety to disrupt our security arrangements making it more
difficult for assistance to be provided to anyone involved. In all the
circumstances of the case it is our view that the public interest in
maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the
information.
You may, if dissatisfied with the handling of your request, complain to
the House of Commons. Alternatively, if you are dissatisfied with the
outcome of your request you may ask the House of Commons to conduct an
internal review of any decision regarding your request. Complaints or
requests for internal review should be addressed to: Information Rights
and Information Security Service, Department of HR and Change, House of
Commons, London SW1A 0AA or [1][House of Commons request email]. Please
ensure that you specify the full reasons for your complaint or internal
review along with any arguments or points that you wish to make.
If you remain dissatisfied, you may appeal to the Information Commissioner
at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF,
[2]www.ico.gov.uk.
Yours sincerely,
IRIS Officer
Information Rights and Information Security (IRIS) Service | House of
Commons
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