Department for International Trade
- Date 16 February 2023
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 14(1): Not upheld
The complainant made four requests to the Department for International Trade (“DIT”) for information regarding Saudi Arabia and the provision of further education.
The DIT refused the requests under section 14(1) of FOIA (vexatious requests).
On 7 February 2023, a machinery of government of change was announced whereby the DIT was merged into a new government department, the Department for Business and Trade (“DBT”).
This Decision Notice has therefore been issued to the DBT in respect of information originally requested from the DIT.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the requests were vexatious and therefore the DBT was entitled to rely upon section 14(1) of FOIA to refuse them.
DBT breached section 10 of FOIA by failing to respond to the requests within 20 working days of receipt.
The Commissioner does not require any steps to be taken.