Freedom of information

Information available | The role of Ordnance Survey | How to access information
Complaints and appeals procedure | Formats and fees

Access rights to January 2005

Complaints procedure under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information

The Ordnance Survey operates the following complaints procedure under the Code of Practice, which remains in force until the FOIA come in.

The Code provides for both internal and external complaints procedures. Complaints that information that should have been provided under the Code has not been provided, should be made to the Ordnance Survey in the first instance and sent to the following address:

Data Protection Liaison Officer, Ordnance Survey, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, SO16 4GU, or email RecordsManagement@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

An independent official who has not been involved with the request will then be asked by the Ordnance Survey Data Protection Team to undertake the internal review.

The applicant will be informed of the outcome of the review in due course. If an applicant remains dissatisfied, complaints may be made through a Member of Parliament to the Ombudsman. Complaints will be investigated at the Ombudsman's discretion in accordance with the provisions provided in the 1967 Act.

Access rights under freedom of information from January 2005

Rights of review and appeal under the FOIA

The FOIA sets out a series of exemptions to protect confidential or other information where disclosure may prejudice the interests of the State or of third parties. Where Ordnance Survey invokes these provisions to withhold information, that decision is subject to a review process.

Decisions about deferral of access to information, the way in which access is given or the level of fees or charges, are also subject to review. The two review processes are set out below.

Rights of internal review

If you are dissatisfied with the response from Ordnance Survey you may seek an internal review of that decision. That review will be undertaken by a member of staff from the Ordnance Survey Corporate Office who has not previously been involved with your request.

If you have not received a response from Ordnance Survey within 20 working days of receipt of your initial application, it is likely to be regarded by the Information Commissioner as amounting to a refusal of your request and allows you to proceed to internal review.

Requests for internal review should be submitted in writing to: Assistant to the Director General, Ordnance Survey, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, SO16 4GU.

An internal review must normally be completed before an appeal may be made to the Officer of the Information Commissioner.

Review by the Information Commissioner

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, or the handling, of the internal review conducted by Ordnance Survey, you may seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner. Requests for a review by the Information Commissioner should be made in writing directly to: