HM Treasury

The complainant has requested email correspondence between a named individual and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT). Referring to its response to an earlier related request, HMT explained that it held three emails within the scope of this request. It argued that this information was exempt under section 35(1)(a) (formulation/development of government policy). It also argued that it was not obliged on the grounds of section 12 (cost exemption) to respond to other elements of the request. The complainant requested an internal review of HMT’s use of section 35 in respect of the three emails referred to. The Commissioner’s decision is that HMT is entitled to rely on section 35(1)(a) as its basis for refusing to provide the three emails described in its response to the complainant. No steps are required.