Secretary of State for Defence (Ministry of Defence)
- Date 31 July 2024
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 12(1): Not upheld, FOI 16: Upheld
The complainant has requested information relating to the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) interactions with an oil company, Motor Oil Hellas. MOD refused to provide the requested information as to do so would exceed the appropriate limit at section 12(1) (cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that MOD was entitled to rely on section 12(1) to refuse to comply with the request. The Commissioner also finds that MOD did not comply with its section 16(1) obligation to offer advice and assistance in relation to part two of the request but as it has now provided advice on how to narrow the request, no further steps are therefore required.