Department of Health and Social Care
- Date 2 August 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 14: Not upheld, FOI 17: Upheld
The complainant has requested summary reports relating to a consultation on changes to the Human Medicines Regulations. The DHSC refused to comply with the request, citing section 14(1) (vexatious requests), based on the grossly oppressive burden that complying with the request would impose. The Commissioner’s decision is that the DHSC is entitled to rely upon section 14(1) to refuse to comply with the request. However, in applying section 14(1) outside the time for compliance, the DHSC has breached section 17. The Commissioner does not require the DHSC to take any further steps. First-tier tribunal (General Regulatory chamber) information rights appeal EA/2022/0243 struck out.