Publication scheme prepared in accordance with Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

This is the Radiocommunications Agency's publication scheme drawn up under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The purpose of this publication scheme is to set out:

• Classes of information we commit to publish as a matter of course.
• How this information will be published.
• Whether the information is available free of charge or on payment.

Information about the FOI Act is available from the Information Commissioner's website at www.dataprotection.gov.uk.

PURPOSE AND AIMS OF RA

The Radiocommunications Agency has been an executive Agency of the DTI since 1990. It is responsible for managing most non-military spectrum in the UK and representing the UK in international discussions on radio spectrum. It aims to develop its role at the centre of one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

The Agency's fundamental aim is to achieve optimal use of the radio spectrum in a dynamic and successful UK economy with enhanced quality of life through excellence and innovation in spectrum management.

Its business objectives may be summarised as follows:

• To secure the best social and economic use of the radio spectrum that balances the interests of all users and consumers through making full and appropriate use of all available spectrum management.
• To achieve a successful transition to Ofcom, improving quality of service and business efficiency while ensuring the integrity of our business.
• To strengthen and exploit to the full UK radio engineering and technology.

COPYRIGHT

If you want to re-use or reproduce our publications, for example commercially or for circulation for education purposes, you will in most cases need to apply for a copyright licence. This Agency is a Crown body and our information is subject to Crown copyright administered by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. For HMSO Guidance Notes on a range of copyright issues, see the HMSO website: www.hmso.gov.uk.

ACCESSIBLE FORMATS AND LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

The Radiocommunications Agency does not routinely publish any of its documents in languages other than English. However, translations on a single copy basis will be made available free of charge on request. Publications will also be made available in Braille, audiotape or large print on request.

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

The Radiocommunications Agency (RA) is an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The RA publication scheme forms part of the DTI publication scheme for the purposes of the Freedom Of Information Act. It is available as a free-standing publication both on paper and on the RA website.

Copies of the overall DTI Scheme is available on paper format from:

DTI Publication Orderline
ADMAIL 528
LONDON SW1W 8YT (ADMAIL and LONDON must be in capitals)

Tel: 0870 1502 500
Fax: 0870 1502 333
Minicom: 0870 1502 100

2. HOW TO ACCESS INFORMATION

AVAILABILITY OF RA INFORMATION

Unless otherwise specified in this scheme:

• The classes of information we commit to publishing under this scheme are published both on the RA website and in hard copy.
• Hard copy publications are available from the RA Library (Address at end of scheme).
• The information subject to this scheme is available free of charge (but also see information on charges below).

Information held by RA that is not published can be requested. Until the FOI Act comes into force in January 2005, requests for information will be dealt with in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government information at: www.lcd.gov.uk/foi/ogcode981.htm

Requests for information should be made to Julia Fraser (address at end of this scheme).

EXEMPTIONS

The Freedom of Information Act provides certain exemptions to the disclosure of information. For example we may not disclose information which could prejudice the formulation of Government policy, or which might adversely affect the economy, international relations, law enforcement, or commercial interests. Full details of the exemptions under the Act are available from the HMSO website at: www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00036--e.htm#21

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Information on individuals is available under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, at: www.dataprotection.gov.uk/principl.htm, rather than under the Freedom of Information Act or the current Open Government Code. If an individual makes a request to see what personal information (if any) Radiocommunications Agency holds about them, it will be dealt with under the terms of the Data Protection Act.

If you have any queries about Radiocommunications Agency's implementation of the Data Protection Act, or wish to make a subject access request to see what (if any) personal information is held about you, please contact the Radiocommunications Agency's IT Security Officer, Euan Fyfe (contact details at end).

CHARGES

Where a standing charge is applied for a publication, the charge will not exceed the maximum permitted by Treasury charging guidelines:

www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/About/Open_Government/opengov_charging.cfm? or available in hard copy from: HM Treasury, 1 Horseguards Road, London SW1A 2HQ. We indicate for each class of information in our publication scheme whether a charge is likely to apply to information within the class.

Information is published free of charge on our website (i.e. there is no charge by us, although the user would have to meet any charges made by their Internet service provider, personal printing costs, etc). For those without Internet access, all documents published on the RA website are available in hard copy from the RA Library. Any information that is on the website but not also available as a printed document will be supplied as a single print-out, as on the website, by post from the RA Library (address at end of this scheme). However, requests for multiple print-outs, or for archived copies of documents which are no longer available on the web, may attract a charge for the cost of retrieval, photocopy, postage, etc. We would let you know this at the time of your request. Any charges applied would be payable in advance.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INFORMATION ASSET REGISTER

You may also access information about Radiocommunications Agency via
the Information Asset Register (IAR). The IAR provides a guide to unpublished information resources held by RA.

Our IAR records can be viewed on the HMSO website at: http://www.inforoute.hmso.gov.uk/inforoute/

3. MONITORING OUR PUBLICATION SCHEME

We want our publication scheme to meet the needs of our customers and stakeholders. Suggestions for particular classes of information to which we might in future commit to publishing under the scheme will be welcomed. Any comments on or complaints about the scheme should be sent to:

Julia Fraser
Information and Publicity Manager
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

Tel: 0207 211 0500
julia.fraser@ra.gsi.gov.uk

4. CLASSES OF INFORMATION

ROLE AND ORGANISATION OF RA

STANDARDS OF SERVICE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Customer Charter RA's commitments to its customers.

We would not expect to publish responses to consultations where confidentiality has been requested.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

DATA PROTECTION

INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION

We would not expect to make available information related to board meetings that would prejudice the frankness and candour of internal discussion or breach the Data Protection Act.

PROCUREMENT

Note: RA follows the procurement terms and conditions and the Suppliers' Guide of the Department of Trade and Industry. This can be found at http://www2.dti.gov.uk/about/procurement/dtipf31.htm and http://www2.dti.gov.uk/about/suppliers/foreword.htm

LEGISLATION

SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS RELATED TO RA AREAS OF RESPONSIBLITY

RA publishes a series of information sheets on the whole range of its activities. These are listed both in the paper publication RA 0, available from RA Library, and on the RA website at www.radio.gov.uk/publication/pub-index.htm.

The following classes of information include information sheets as well as other types of paper and web-based information.