Cabinet Office

The complainant requested information relating to the Hutton Inquiry. The Cabinet Office initially refused the request under section 21(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) because it considered the information was already reasonably accessible to the complainant. The Cabinet Office provided a link to the information it considered to be of relevance, but did not confirm that it held any of the requested information. The Cabinet Office later informed the Commissioner that it did not hold any of the requested information, and stated it only provided the link to be of assistance to the complainant. The Commissioner does not accept that the Cabinet Office has fulfilled its obligations in accordance with section 1(3). He is of the view that the Cabinet Office reasonably requires further information in order to identify and locate the information requested and should inform the complainant of that requirement. The Commissioner therefore requires the Cabinet Office to respond to the complainant as per section 1(3) of the Act, and – where necessary – provide reasonable advice and assistance to the complainant to assist him in rephrasing his request.