Public Health England

The complainant has requested information relating to the London Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (LFWE) which is part of Public Health England (PHE). PHE has explained that it holds some, but not all, of the information falling within the scope of the request. PHE has provided some of the information it holds. However, it has withheld some of the requested information under section 31 of the FOIA. The complainant is concerned about PHE’s reliance on section 31 of the FOIA to withhold some of the requested information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the withheld information does engage the exemption under section 31(1)(c), and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner does not require any further steps to be taken as a result of this decision notice. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2019/0395 disposed by consent.