Secretary of State for Defence (Ministry of Defence)
- Date 3 June 2024
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 40: Not upheld, FOI 43: Not upheld
The complainant submitted a request to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) seeking information about a contract between it and WholeShip Limited relating to the use of Predannack Airfield. The MOD disclosed some information within the scope of the request but withheld the remainder on the basis of sections 40(2) (personal data) and 43(2) (commercial interests) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the remaining withheld information is exempt from disclosure on the basis of either section 43(2) and that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest favours maintaining that exemption, or is exempt on the basis of section 40(2) of FOIA. However, the MOD breached section 10(1) of FOIA by failing to disclose the information it did not consider to be exempt within 20 working days of the request. The Commissioner does not require further steps.