FS50198230

Decision Summary

• Case Ref: FS50198230
• Date: 9 March 2010
• Public Authority: Home Office
• Summary: The complainant requested a copy of a draft consultation document on a review of the UK’s drugs classification system. The Home Office claimed that the report was exempt from disclosure by virtue of sections 35(1)(a) and (b) (formulation of government policy and disclosure of Ministerial communications). During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation the Home Office released some information that it considered fell within the scope of the request, cited section 21(1) in relation to information which it considered was accessible to the complainant by other means and confirmed that it was citing section 35(1)(a) in relation to the remaining withheld information. The Commissioner found that the exemption at section 21 is not engaged. He found that the exemption at section 35 is engaged, but that the public interest in maintaining the exemption does not outweigh that in disclosing it. Therefore, he orders disclosure of the draft consultation document.
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• Section of Act / Finding: FOI 21 - Complaint Upheld - Find other matching decisions

• Section of Act / Finding: FOI 35 - Complaint Upheld - Find other matching decisions