University of Southampton

The complainant submitted a series of requests to the University of Southampton (the University) regarding the ‘Mountbatten Archive’ which concerns the papers of Lord and Lady Mountbatten. The University provided some of the information requested, but sought to withhold further information on the basis of a variety of exemptions within FOIA, namely: 37(1)(a) (communications with the Sovereign), 40(2) (personal data), 41(1) (information provided in confidence), 43(2) (commercial interests) and 44(1) (statutory prohibition). The University also argued that it did not hold some of the information that had been requested and that to provide some of the information would exceed the appropriate cost limit at section 12(1) of FOIA. The Commissioner has concluded that only some of these exemptions have been applied correctly. Furthermore, whilst she has concluded that section 12 has been applied correctly, and the University does not hold some of the additional information alleged by the complainant, it does hold some further information in the scope of the request which was not previous been disclosed to him. Information Tribunal Appeal EA/2020/0021 appeal allowed in part. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2020/0058 appeal allowed in part.