London Fire Commissioner (London Fire Brigade)

The complainant has requested fire and safety related information from London Fire Brigade (LFB) in relation to a named residential location. LFB refused to disclose the information citing section 31(1)(g) of FOIA (the exemption for the exercise by any public authority of its functions for any of the purposes specified in subsection (2)).  LFB said that the relevant purposes were section 31(2)(a) (the exemption for the purposes of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law) and section 31(2)(c) (the exemption for purpose of ascertaining whether circumstances which would justify regulatory action in pursuance of any enactment exist or may arise). The Commissioner’s decision is that LFB has correctly applied section 31(1)(g) of FOIA to the remaining withheld information as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the exercise of its functions under sections 31(2)(a) and (c). The public interest favours maintaining this exemption. The Commissioner does not require further steps.