----- Original Message -----

From: Freedom of Information

To: Ian.benson22@btinternet.com
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 10:39 AM
Subject: Freedom of Information Response

Ian Benson
Ian.benson22@btinternet.com

24th May 2010

Dear Ian Benson

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (the "Act")

Thank you for your email requesting information which we received on 26 th April

You have requested the following information:

Q1 Does the University provide any information or advice to students or staff on any potential
liability under Terrorism legislation which might result from accessing materials for teaching or
research? If so provide copies of any documents held which detail or refer to such information
or advice.

Q2 Does the University have any kind of procedure to review or assess reading lists, module
descriptors or other teaching materials which explicitly or in practice considers questions of
safety and risk under terrorism legislation as part of its remit? For example does the institution
have anything similar or analogous to the 'module review process' established at Nottingham
University described here:

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=407122;
http://www.teachingterrorism.net/2009/08/03/nottingham-censorship-a-defence;
http://www.teachingterrorism.net/2009/08/06/is-vetting-at-nottingham-in-defence-of-academic-
freedom

If so supply full details of this policy and procedure and advise when and how it was decided
upon and implemented.

Q3 Does the University have any system, policy or procedure in place for dealing with any
potential actions taken by the authorities against the institution, its students or staff under
Terrorism legislation? If so supply a copy of the policy and advise the date it was decided upon
and implemented.
 
Q4 Does the University have any system, policy or procedure in place for ‘preventing violent
extremism’ as recommended for example in the government guidance document ‘Promoting
Good Campus Relations’

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/
+/http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/extremismhe.pdf

Indicate what procedures or policy exist and advise when it was decided upon and
implemented, and provide copies of any documents held which detail or refer to such policy or
procedures.

Our response 

With regard to your request for information:

1. The University complies with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

requirements. ATAS is a government scheme aimed at limiting weapons proliferation.
Further information on the scheme can be found at www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-
we-do/services-we-deliver/atas/atas-what/ 

Information provided to students on pages 4 and 5 of the International Student

Handbook is available on the University website at
www.hw.ac.uk/registry/resources/ISA/HWUInternationalStudentGuide.pdf 

 
2. The University does not have such a review procedure in place.

3. The University does not have such a review procedure in place.

4. The University is currently in liaison with Lothian & Borders police and the National
Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), in discussing and preparing policies and
procedures within the PREVENT element of countering any possible terrorist activity
within Higher Education Institutes. PREVENT is one part of a four part strategy led by
the UK Government to reduce risk from international terrorism.

Your right to seek review of our decision

If you are not satisfied with our response or our reasoning set-out above, you have forty
working days from 24th May 2010 in which to request a review of our decision. Any
request should be put in writing and should be sent to Ann Jones, FOI Coordinator, at
the address detailed at the bottom of this email. The request should:

(a) detail your request for a review of our decision to be undertaken;

(b) describe the nature of your original request; and

(c) explain the reasons why you are dissatisfied with our response.

If you remain dissatisfied with how your request for information has been dealt with, you
also have the right to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision as
to whether we have handled your request properly.

 
Information relating to your right to seek review is available from the Scottish
Information Commissioner's web page at:

http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/YourRights.asp

or by contacting the Scottish Information Commissioner's Office at the following

address:

Scottish Information Commissioner,

Kinburn Castle,

Doubledykes Road, St Andrews,

Fife KY16 9DS

Telephone: 01334 464610              01334 464610      

Fax: 01334 464611

E-mail: enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info

Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info

Contact us

Finally, should you wish to discuss the contents of this email, please do not hesitate to
contact me.

Yours sincerely

 
Andrew Connor

Information Compliance Assistant

Archive, Records Management and Museum Service

Heriot-Watt University

Riccarton

Edinburgh EH14 4AS

foi@hw.ac.uk

Heriot-Watt University is a Charity registered in Scotland, SC000278.

This email is sent subject to http://www.hw.ac.uk/disclaim.htm

Heriot-Watt University is a Scottish charity registered under charity number SC000278.