Department for Transport

The complainant has requested information relating to bids to operate the East Coast rail franchise. The Department for Transport (DfT) refused the request under the exemptions provided by section 21 – information accessible by other means, section 43(2) – commercial interests and section 44 – statutory prohibition. The complainant has not contested the application of section 21. The Commissioner’s decision is that the DfT is entitled to rely on sections 43(2) and 44 to withhold the requested information. The Commissioner does not require the public authority to take any further action in this matter.