Defra
- Date 8 October 2019
- Sector Other
- Decision(s) FOI 10(1): Upheld, FOI 35(1)(a): Upheld
The complainant has requested the final report of a review of Forest Holidays (owned by the Forestry Commission) from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). Defra refused to provide the information withholding it under section 35(1)(a)(formulation or development of government policy). The Commissioner’s decision is that section 35(1)(a) is not engaged in relation to the withheld information. The Commissioner has also found that Defra breached section 10(1) of the FOIA by not responding to the complainant within the statutory timeframe. The Commissioner requires the public authority to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Disclose the information that was withheld under section 35 of the FOIA, with the exception of any third party personal data relating to junior employees. Information Tribunal EA/2019/0412 disposed by consent.