Department for Business & Trade (DBT)

1.    The complainant requested information from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in relation to export licence applications. DBT disclosed some of the requested information but refused to disclose the remainder, citing sections 41 (information provided in confidence) and 43 (commercial interests) of FOIA as a basis for non-disclosure.
2.    The Commissioner’s decision is that DBT has correctly applied section 41 of FOIA to the withheld information. As section 41 is engaged in respect of the entirety of the withheld information, the Commissioner has not gone on to consider the application of section 43.
3.    The Commissioner does not require any further action to be taken.