Scope
The scheme includes three main groups of information (corporate information and management; collections information; public services information) and a series of classes within these groups.
This structure is based on a model scheme developed for all national museums, taking into account the organisational structure in the Museum.
As the scheme is evaluated and maintained, further areas will be considered for inclusion.
The overall museum service includes the main museum (with public galleries on London Wall) and Museum of London Archaeology.
Access to information
This publication scheme is available on the Museum’s Web site and as a hard copy.
In the majority of cases, the information described in the scheme is available in electronic form or as a hard copy.
The electronic versions are either accessible through the links provided within the Web version of the scheme or can be obtained from the contacts mentioned under individual entries.
Hard copy versions are available from the contacts mentioned under individual entries.
Individual requests for information prior to January 2005
Prior to the introduction of the general right of access to information created by the Freedom of Information Act, the Museum is committed under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information to provide timely and accessible information to explain policies, actions and decisions and respond to reasonable requests for information.
Requests for information under the Code should be made in writing or by email to the relevant contact and should specify that the request is being made under the terms of the Code.
Individual requests for information after January 2005
Once the Freedom of Information Act comes into full force in January 2005, an enquirer will be able to make an individual request for information. The enquirer will have the right to be told whether the information is held by the Museum and to receive the information, subject to certain exemptions. Individuals already have the right of access to information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the freedom of information provisions extend this right to allow public access to all types of information held by public bodies.
Requests for information under the Act should be made in writing or by email to the relevant contact (from January 2005).
Exempt information
The Museum may consider that some of the information described in the scheme is exempt from public access, due to considerations such as security, commercial confidentiality and references to personal details, including information covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.
Where this is the case, the published material will show where details have been withheld, explain what exemption has been applied and why this is considered relevant.
Responsibility for the publication scheme
The Director of the Museum is responsible for the scheme. The primary contact in the event of any questions about the scheme is the Head of Information Resources (contact details below).
Complaints and appeals
If you are dissatisfied with the Museum’s response to a request for access to information, you may seek an internal review of the decision you have received, by submitting a request in writing to the Director. If you are still not satisfied with the response, you may seek an independent review from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information) or the Information Commissioner (under the Freedom of Information Act).
Copyright
Information included in the publication scheme may be reproduced once for information and personal research only. Please contact the Museum Photographic Resources Section or Museum of London Archaeology (contact details below) for information about the reproduction of images and details of fees.
Permission to reproduce information in the scheme does not extend to any material that is identified as being the copyright of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce such material should be obtained from the copyright holder.