Request made 23 April 2008
Request
Does the Department or any of its agencies use pseudonymous names of staff who do not exist in outgoing correspondence or as an invited point of contact for the public for incoming correspondence either by letter, email or telephone? If so, how many pseudonymous names are currently in use and in which departments? If pseudonymous names are used what are the names involved and what is the purpose of them, when did their use begin and who authorised such use?
Response
I am writing to advise you that the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills does not use pseudonymous names in any of its contacts with members of the public. This relates to out going correspondence, any invited points of contact for the public for incoming correspondence either by letter, email or telephone or for any other purpose.
Information about the use of pseudonymous names in the department's agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) is not held by this Department. As these are FOI bodies in their own right, such requests must be made directly to each organisation.
