Age discrimination impact assessment

Please could I ask if the Ordnance Survey has carried out an impact assessment regarding age discrimination relating to the provision of goods and services (likely to come into force in 2012)?

Has this assessment considered if maps showing heights and other measurements in metric rather than imperial will contravene the new legislation?

If not, why not?

Thank you for your e-mail dated 17^th January 2011, and clarification e-mail of the 1^st February 2011. Following receipt of your clarification, we respond to each of your questions in turn.

1. Ordnance Survey carried out an Equality Impact Assessment screening on both our OS Explorer Maps and OS Landranger Maps in August 2008, as per our obligation under the current legislation.

Section two of the screening is to ‘Assess the likely impact’ of various needs, including age. However, under current legislation Ordnance Survey is only required to consider age when dealing with issues relating to Ordnance Survey employees and potential employees, not products.

Ordnance Survey has not carried out an Equality Impact Assessment screening regarding age discrimination relating to future legislation which has yet to come into force, but will comply as and when it is introduced.

2. As detailed above, the assessment which was undertaken in 2008 was not required to consider age, but Ordnance Survey will comply with future legislation as and when it is introduced.

We are please to provide the following additional information (also available on our website http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/aboutus/history/timeline.html) giving guidance on the implementation of metric mapping. 
As you will note, this issue was first discussed some seventy years ago, with Ordnance Survey first producing metric maps over forty years ago in 1969.

• In 1938 the final report of the Davidson Committee recommended a National Grid ‘overhaul’ of national plans recast on a national projection, continuous revision, measurements in metres and a new national scale of 1:25 000 March 1969 - Ordnance Surveys proposals for ‘metricating’ our large scale maps is approved by ministers.  Heights to be shown in metres on new and revised maps at 1:1250 and 1:2500 scales and on 1:2500 parcels of land given in hectares as well as acres.
• October 1969 - First metric maps published. December 1969 - 6 inch map replaced by 1:10000 scale with metric contours.

If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal with our Appeals Officer at:

FOI Appeals Officer
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Adanac Drive
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 0AS

In all correspondence relating to this issue please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the original process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information where appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Reference number: FOI11132/January 2011