Department for Culture Media and Sport

environmental information & personal data


Environmental Information

 

Some information held by the Department may be subject to Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs).  'Environmental Information' covers a wide range of topics, which relate to or affect the environment.  Applications for information can be made by anyone, anywhere in the world.

New EIRs (Environmental Information Regulations 2004) come into force on the 1st January 2005.  The Information Commissioner is responsible for supervising the operation of the EIRs.  The Information Commissioner's Office is already responsible for supervising the operation of both the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998. 

If you wish to make a request for environmental information under EIR please contact the Information Manager providing as much detail as possible to help identify the information sought.  Unlike Freedom of Information requests, which need to be made in writing, EIRs can be made orally.  Subject to the exceptions provided for in the Act we seek to provide the information within twenty working days of receiving the request.

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Personal Data

 

Under the Data Protection Act 1998 individuals have a right of access to the information that is held about them by the Department (although this is subject to some exemptions.)  These requests are known as subject access requests.  If you are seeking personal information about yourself you should make a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 1998 as this information is exempt from disclosure under the FoI regime. 

If you want to make a subject access request please submit it in writing to:

The Information Manager

Department for Culture Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH

and include the following information and documentation:

  • Proof of identity, such as a photocopy of your driver's license or passport, or two copies of recent utility bills.
  • Any information that will enable us to locate the data that you are seeking.  For example, details of any contact that you may have had with the Department in the past.

Please note that the Department may charge for providing such information. Your request will be dealt with, in forty days of the Department accepting the request

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