Cranfield University

The complainant has requested communications between members of the University Executive of Cranfield University (‘the University’) and the Universities & Colleges Employers Association. The University disclosed some relevant information and withheld the remainder under section 41 of FOIA, which concerns information provided in confidence. It subsequently also applied section 40 and 43 to the withheld information, which concern personal data and commercial interests respectively. The Commissioner’s decision is that the University doesn’t hold the requested information for the purposes of FOIA and is entitled to rely on section 3(2)(a) of FOIA to refuse the request. It’s not necessary for the University to take any corrective steps.