Student Loans Company Ltd

The complainant requested the database manual associated with the software used by the Student Loans Company (SLC) for monitoring repayment data. In response, The SLC stated that it did not hold a database manual but confirmed that information relating to its CLASS software system was retained in a data dictionary and specifications. The SLC, however, refused to disclose the data dictionary and specifications under the exemption afforded by section 36(2)(c) (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Commissioner has investigated and has found that section 36(2)(c) was not correctly applied. The Commissioner therefore requires the SLC to release the data dictionary and specifications with the exception of a limited amount of information. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2011/0003 withdrawn.