Open Information
Under the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations you have a right of access (subject to certain exemptions) to the information that we hold. You can use our Publication Scheme (see below) or our site search engine to do your own search, or see our Requesting Information pages to find out how to make a formal request. OUR PUBLICATION SCHEME The Forestry Commission is the Government Department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands. This Publication Scheme also covers our Forest Enterprise agencies and Forest Research. About This Scheme The Freedom of Information Act provides a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities such as the Forestry Commission. The Act also sets out exemptions from that right, and imposes on us a number of obligations. When the Act comes fully into force any person who makes a request to us for information must be informed whether we hold that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information. You already have the right of access to information about yourself under the Data Protection Act 1998. The Freedom of Information Act will extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held. We maintain a publication scheme setting out: - the classes of information we hold;
- the manner in which we intend to publish the information;
- and whether a charge will be made for the information.
The purpose of the scheme is to ensure a significant amount of information is available, without the need for a specific request. Schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information pro-actively and to develop a greater culture of openness. The scheme is therefore a guide to all the information that we routinely publish broken down into classes of information that have common characteristics. Cost Publications are generally free of charge although in some cases (sometimes printed publications) there may be a charge. If this is the case this will be stated in the information describing the class. Scheme Availability The scheme is available on our website (www.forestry.gov.uk/foi) where it can be listed by organisation, by country, or by category, and in leaflets which can be ordered from our public enquiry line: tel 0845 FORESTS or e-mail: enquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Information Availability Many documents included in the scheme can be downloaded from our website, www.forestry.gov.uk. Where this is not possible, or you have no access to the internet, paper copies may be ordered from the contact point given for each class. In some cases we have included information classes which are not yet available. Any delay in publishing is generally for technical reasons and a date for when the information will become available will be provided. Feedback We welcome your views on our scheme and suggestions of what other information you would like to see included. Please contact us by: E-mail: enquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0845 FORESTS
Fax: 0131 334 4473 Mail: Public Enquiries
Forestry Commission
231 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh EH12 7AT For further information regarding this scheme please contact: Allan Dungavel
Forestry Commission
231 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh EH12 7AT
allan.dungavel@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
0131 314 6468
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