Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

The complainant has requested on the evidence that informed the government’s position that the Advance Research and Invention Agency’s (ARIA) exemption from FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that BEIS is not entitled to withhold the requested information by relying on FOIA section 35(1)(a) - Formulation or development of government policy, because the public interest favours disclosure of the information. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclose the information set out in the confidential annex to ensure compliance with the legislation. The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.