Home Office

The complainant has requested details of various meetings from the Home Office (the “HO”). Initially, the HO would neither confirm nor deny (“NCND”) holding any information, citing sections 23(5)(Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters) and 24(2) (National security) of FOIA. It later confirmed holding information but advised it was exempt by virtue of sections 23(5), 24(1), 31(1)(a)(b) (Law enforcement), 40(2) (Personal information) and 43(2) (Commercial interests) of FOIA. Further to the service of an Information Notice, the HO again revised its position, instead relying on section 12(1) (Cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the HO is entitled to rely on section 12(1) to refuse the request. No steps are required.