HM Treasury

The complainant has requested minutes, action logs and briefing materials from a meeting between HM Treasury (“HMT”) and Copper held in February 2022, as well as other materials shared in the meeting. HMT disclosed some information but cited section 40 (personal data), section 43(1) (trade secret), section 43(2) (commercial interests) and section 27 (international relations) as its basis for refusing to provide the remaining requested information. The complainant did not challenge section 40 but did challenge the other exemptions. HMT upheld its position at internal review. HMT withdrew reliance on section 27 during the Commissioner’s investigation. It also made a further disclosure during the Commissioner's investigation. The Commissioner’s decision is that HMT is entitled to rely on section 43(1) and section 43(2) as its basis for withholding the requested information. The Commissioner does not require further steps.