The Institute of Cancer Research

Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act gives anybody the right to seek access to information held by public authorities. The Institute of Cancer Research is a public authority subject to the Act.

The Act was implemented in two parts. The first stage required public authorities to make information available through a Publication Scheme. The aim of the Publication Scheme is to explain what information The Institute routinely makes available to the public.

The second stage of FOI implementation began in January 2005. From this date, subject to various exemptions in the Act, public authorities such as The Institute can be asked to provide specific information which is recorded and held by them.

How to request information from The Institute of Cancer Research

We already make a lot of information available to you. Before you consider making a request, please try:
1. Searching our website for the information using the search box on the homepage.
2. Downloading and checking our Publications Scheme and Publication List. 

If you still can't find what you are looking for you may ask for it under the Freedom of Information Act by emailing us, or by writing to: Information Manager, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP.

Please be specific about the information you want, as this will help us to find it for you. We are obliged to reply promptly and in any event within 20 working days.

• We may charge a fee for this service. When that happens, we will send you details in writing.
• Some information may not be available because it falls within one of the exemptions of the Act. When that happens, we will tell you which exemption applies and, in most cases, why the information cannot be released.
• If your request for information includes personal data relating to another person, an exemption in the Act may apply.

Requests for personal data about yourself

Requests for personal data - information about a living individual - are dealt with under the Data Protection Act 1998. If you want to ask whether The Institute of Cancer Research holds any personal information about you, you should write to the:
Information Manager
123 Old Brompton Road
London SW7 3RP

• You are required to supply proof of your identity. This should include a photocopy of the identification pages of your current passport or of a current photo driving licence; and the original of a current utilities (e.g. electricity) bill, or credit card or bank statement, which includes your name and current address. This would be returned to you if required.
• We may charge a fee for this service of £10.

Complaints Procedure For Access Rights Under The Freedom Of Information Act 2000

Persons who may make a complaint

1. Members of the general public, staff, students, members of the Board of Trustees or any Institute committee may make a complaint under this Procedure.

Scope and purpose of the Procedure

2. This procedure is designed to assist The Institute in acting upon, and where appropriate investigating, a complaint in respect of the following:

• The Publication Scheme not properly being complied with, with effect from 27 February 2004;
• A request for information under the general right of access not properly being handled, with effect from 1 January 2005.

The Procedure

Step 1: Making a complaint

3. Any concern or complaint should be addressed in writing in the first instance to the Information Manager who shall endeavour to resolve the matter satisfactorily on an informal basis.
4. Investigations shall be conducted as speedily as possible, having regard to the nature and complexity of the complaint. The aim shall be to conclude the investigation within 40 calendar days.

Step 2: Internal Review

5. If, after the investigation of the complaint, the complainant remains dissatisfied then they may ask for the matter to be internally reviewed. The aim shall be to complete the review within 40 calendar days.
6. The Corporate Management Group has appointed the Secretary of The Institute to decide what action (if any) should be taken, and whether the matter is to be further investigated (and if so by whom). In reaching a decision, the Secretary shall take such advice as he considers necessary.
7. Where the Secretary was party to the original informal investigation and decision, the internal review shall be undertaken by an Executive Member of the Corporate Management Group who was not party to the original informal investigation and decision.
8. The complainant shall be informed of the action taken following the internal review. A written record shall be kept of all complaints and their outcomes.
9. Where the outcome of the complaint is that information should be disclosed which was previously withheld, the information in question shall be disclosed as soon as practicable.
10. Where the outcome of a complaint is that the procedures have not been properly followed, then an apology shall be made and appropriate steps shall be taken to prevent similar errors occurring again.

Step 3: Information Commissioner

11. Where the Secretary decides to dismiss a complaint and not to take any further action, the complainant shall be advised of their right to write to the Information Commissioner if they remain disastisfied¹.

Step 4: Annual Report

12. The Corporate Management Group will receive an annual report from the Secretary on the complaints received and action taken.

Notes:

1. If the complaint concerns a request for information under the general right of access, the complainant may apply to the Commissioner for a decision on whether The Institute has properly complied with the statutory provisions. If the complaint concerns the Publication Scheme, the complainant cannot apply for a decision, but the Commissioner may investigate the matter at his discretion.