Department for Transport

The complainant made a freedom of information request to the Department for Transport (DfT) for advice offered to Ministers regarding the Settle to Carlisle Railway in the 1980’s. The DfT confirmed it held some information falling within the scope of the request but withheld it under the exemption in section 35(1)(b) (Ministerial communications). The Commissioner has decided that section 35(1)(b) is engaged and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2015/0215 withdrawn.