Department for Education
- Date 14 June 2011
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 42: Not upheld
The complaint made a request to the Department for Education (formerly the Department for Children, Schools and Families) for legal advice referred to in a letter from Ed Balls MP to Michael Give MP regarding provisions with the Children Schools and Families Bill. The Department for Education refused the request under section 35(1)(a) (Formulation and development of government policy) and section 42(1) (Legal professional privilege) of the Act. The Commissioner has investigated the complaint and has found that the information was exempt under section 42(1) and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosure. The Commissioner found that the public authority dealt with the request in accordance with the Act and requires no steps to be taken.