Highways England Company Limited

The complainant has requested the names of the lead contractors and all subcontractors listed in the tenders submitted as part of the procurement exercise for the National Roads Telecommunications Service 2 contract. Highways England Company Ltd (HE) disclosed the names of the three main bidders but refused to disclose the names of their subcontractors under the exemptions provided by section 43(2) – commercial interests. The Commissioner’s decision is that although the exemption provided by section 43 is engaged the public interest favours disclosure. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclose the names of the subcontractors.