Department for International Trade

The complainant submitted a two part request to Department for International Trade (DIT). This first part sought information about a particular senior civil servant’s involvement with the export of certain products by a UK arms manufacturer. The second part sought records concerning a specific license application made by that manufacturer. DIT responded by stating that it did not hold any information falling within the first part of the request. In relation to the second part of the request it disclosed some information but withheld further information on the basis of sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) (effective conduct of public affairs), 40(2) (personal data), 41(1) (information provided in confidence) and 43(2) (commercial interests) of FOIA. The complainant argued that DIT would be likely to hold information falling within the first part of the request and challenged its decision to withhold information falling the second part of the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that on the balance of probabilities DIT does not hold information falling within the first part of the request. In relation to the second part of the request the Commissioner’s decision is that the withheld information is exempt from disclosure on the basis of sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) and 41(1) of FOIA.