Home Office

The complainant requested information about a new detention centre in France. The Home Office initially relied on the exemptions in sections 27(1)(a) (international relations) and 40(2) (personal information) of FOIA to refuse the request. During the Commissioner’s investigation, the Home Office revised its position and instead cited section 12(1) of FOIA (the cost of compliance exclusion). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Home Office has properly relied on section 12(1) of FOIA to refuse the request. The Commissioner also considers that the Home Office has complied with its obligations under section 16(1) of FOIA to provide adequate advice and assistance. The Commissioner does not require any steps to be taken as a result of this notice.
Keywords: Asylum seekers, small boats