The complainant has requested information relating to meetings and correspondence which took place between the Chancellor and the former Chancellor Lord Lawson, between 12 May 2010 and 20 March 2012. A transcript of a discussion between these individuals during this time frame is held by HM Treasury however the entire transcript is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) as parts of the transcript relate solely to party political discussions. HM Treasury explained that some parts of the transcript related to discussion about the formulation and development of areas of HM Treasury policy. However it said that whilst this information was covered by FOIA, it considered that it was exempt under section 35(1)(a) FOIA. It also said that section 40(2) and section 43(2) FOIA were also applicable to some parts of that information. The Commissioner’s decision is that HM Treasury has correctly applied section 35(1)(a) in this case to withhold the parts of the requested information which have been considered under FOIA. This decision notice is currently under appeal to the Information Tribunal.
Section of Act/EIR and Finding: FOI 35 – Complaint Not upheld
Citations:
[2013] UKICO FS50465400
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Information
Updated: 21 July 2022; Ref: scu.528096
