Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The complainant has asked the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (“the MHCLG”) to provide him with recorded information concerning the voter identification pilot scheme for the elections of May 2018, and specifically for information which concerns the exclusion of Tower Hamlets from the Government’s pilot. Having first refused the complainant’s request in reliance on section 31(1) of the FOIA, and following the Commissioner’s initial enquiry in this matter, the MHCLG disclosed to the complainant much of the information it holds which is relevant to his request. One document, a briefing note for an intended telephone conversation between Ministers, was identified which the MHCLG determined should continue to be withheld in reliance on section 35(1)(b). The Commissioner has decided that the MHCLG has correctly applied the exemption provided by section 35(1)(b) and it is therefore entitled to withhold the briefing note.