Requesting information

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 gives you the right to ask for information we hold. Before requesting information, you should check our publication scheme to see if the information you are looking for is already available.

The Act says that if you ask for information your request must be in a 'permanent' form, that can be used for reference - usually in writing or by email. If you want to request information, write to:

Helpline
5 Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU

Contact the helpline using our feedback form

In practice, though, we will apply the same principles of openness to requests by telephone.

How we deal with Freedom of Information requests

This is a 'plain English' summary of our Freedom of Information policy. For a full description of how we handle Freedom of information requests, read our full Freedom of Information policy.

We try to comply with the spirit as well as the letter of the Act, and be as open as possible. At the same time, we want to keep our customers' trust. So if we receive a request for information about our customers, we will:

  • consider whether or not the information should be withheld because of commercial interests or because it is personal information; and
  • if necessary, consult the company or person to help us make this decision.

Charging

We will not charge you for information which is not in a publication scheme. But we can refuse to give you the information if we estimate it will cost us over £600 to find and supply it. If this happens we will, wherever possible, try to provide what we can up to the £600 limit rather than refusing the request outright.

Exemptions

We want to be as open as possible. However, sometimes we may withhold information under one of the exemptions to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act. For example, we can withhold information if:

  • we believe that disclosing it would make it difficult or impossible for us to go about our business; or
  • it is the subject of legal proceedings; or
  • it would be illegal for us to disclose the information.

Commercial information

We may withhold information which may:

  • harm the commercial interests of any person or any organisation; or

  • damage Scotland's economy.

Environmental Information

Environmental information is governed by separate regulations, known as the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs). We will only treat such requests differently when the regulations require us to do so.

Personal Information

The Data Protection Act 1998 protects personal information. Under the Data Protection Act you have the right to ask if we process any personal information relating to you and if so to give a copy of the data. If you wish to access your personal information from Scottish Enterprise you should apply in writing or email to the Network Helpline. Personal information about other individuals will not normally be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.

If we withhold information we will tell you why and give you details of how to appeal if you are not satisfied with how your request has been handled. The right of appeal is to the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise in the first place. If you are still not satisfied with the way your complaint has been dealt with you can ask the Scottish Information Commissioner to investigate for you.

Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS

Telephone: 01334 464610
Fax: 01334 464611
Email: enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info