Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

The complainant has made a six-part request for information about bona vacantia estates passed to the Duchy of Lancaster. Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council confirmed information was held, but withheld it under the exemption provided by section 31(1)(a) (prejudice to the prevention or detection of crime) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that in respect of parts [2] and [6] of the request, the council is entitled to withhold the information under section 31(1)(a). However, the Commissioner has found that the council is not entitled to refuse the remaining parts of the request under section 31(1)(a). The Commissioner requires the council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Disclose the information sought by parts [1], [3], [4], and [5] of the request.