Freedom of Information

Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act encourages public authorities to make as much information as possible available to the public proactively.

Under the Act, we are required to adopt a publication scheme which contains information we routinely make available, and ensure that information is published in accordance with the scheme. GEO has adopted the Information Commissioner's model publication scheme.

Publication schemes explain what information is routinely made available to you, where and when that information is available and whether there will be a charge for the information.

We make a significant amount of information available under our scheme. One of its benefits is that it makes information easily accessible and without charge. This means that, in many cases, the information you are looking for will already be available and there will be no need for you to make a formal request under the Act.

Classes of information

You can see the classes of information contained in our Scheme and access the guide to information available in each class.  The classes of information in our Scheme will not generally include information which is protected from disclosure, is in draft form, or is no longer readily available. 

How does the scheme work? Will I be charged for the information?

Information listed in the publication scheme is available on our website and in print. You can access information:

1.      On our website
When the information is available on the GEO website, the web address will be given and a link will be provided. There is no charge for information available on the website.

2.      By email
You can email a request to enquiries@geo.gsi.gov.uk  including the words publication scheme in the subject heading. There is no charge for information which is provided electronically.

3.      By post
If you ask for information available on our website to be provided in paper format it may be necessary to make a charge. Each case is considered separately. For example, if a large amount of photocopying is required, or if the cost of postage of a large volume of paperwork is very high.

How up to date is the publication scheme website?

Most of the information included in our scheme will be current. However, for certain classes of information, it may be necessary to publish the information retrospectively.

How long is information kept on the publication scheme website?

Information will not be available through the publication scheme indefinitely. We are committed to providing the public with as much information as is practically possible. It is important that the information we provide is relevant and up to date.

Is the information available in other languages?

Most of the information we provide is currently only available in English. A formal Welsh language scheme covering our full range of responsibilities is being prepared. In the meantime we will reply to correspondence received in Welsh within 15 working days. Providing copies of material not currently available in Welsh may take longer.

Information already available

• Written Parliamentary Answers by GEO’s Ministers (usually in written format by the Parliamentary Secretary, Michael Foster DL MP, under the heading Women and Equality) can be found by searching Hansard or theyworkforyou.com
• Responses to Freedom of Information Act requests made to GEO via whatdotheyknow.com can be found here
• GEO’s FOI Disclosure Log

Please note that information that has already been disclosed or published by GEO is exempt from disclosure under the FOIA, for example in our Annual Report and Accounts. The information found here provides a useful summary. This information is based on Chapter 5 of our Annual Report and Resource Accounts 2008-09.

We aim to reply to you promptly and are obliged under the law to provide a response within 20 working days.

Some information may not be available because it falls within one of the exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. When that happens, we will tell you which exemption applies and, in most cases, why the information cannot be released.

There may be a cost involved in dealing with your request, which you may have to pay. If so, we will send you a notice stating the amount and how we calculated that figure. You will then have three months to pay the fee before we continue to process your request.