FOI release

Freedom of Information request on the redaction process for documents (FOI 22/570)

Published 14 June 2022

FOI 22/570

14th April 2022

Dear

Thank you for your email.

Please find below answers to the questions you have raised in blue below;

1.      Copies of any business process, manual, procedure or policy concerning document redaction in your organization.

We follow ICO guidance on redaction

2.      If recorded, please indicate the FTE (staff time) spent on document redaction by your organization per year. I am only interested in the most recent figure for this.

Not held

3.      If recorded, please provide the expenditure on document redaction per year. Again, I am only interested in the most recent figure for this.

Not held

4.      If recorded, please provide any estimates on how much document redaction is undertaken by your organization (e.g., number of documents / pages of material).

Not held

5.      Please indicate any software currently used for document redaction (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Pro).

Adobe Acrobat Pro

6.      Do you use specialist staff who have undergone specific training to undertake document redaction? If so, please indicate the specific training and/or qualifications for these staff.

Where staff need to redact documentation in responding to information rights requests (IRRs), they are supported by the Agency DPO.   All staff who perform redactions have experience of applying the FOI legislation in line with any guidance from the ICO.

If you have a query about the information provided, please reply to this email

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date you receive this response and addressed to: info@mhra.gov.uk

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

If you were to remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you would have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Please bear in mind that the Information Commissioner will not normally review our handling of your request unless you have first contacted us to conduct an internal review. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

MHRA Customer Experience Centre