Cabinet Office

The complainant submitted a request to the Cabinet Office seeking information about its discussions with Southampton University about the Broadlands Archive. The Cabinet Office initially took the view that it did not hold any information falling within the scope of the request. However, following clarification from the Commissioner in relation to how the request should be interpreted it argued that compliance with the request would exceed the appropriate cost limit. The Commissioner agrees with this assessment and therefore the Cabinet Office does not have to comply with the request by virtue of section 12(1) of FOIA. However, the Commissioner has concluded that the Cabinet Office has a duty under section 16(1) of FOIA to provide the complainant with advice and assistance.