Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office)

The complainant has requested information about its OPTICA workflow system from the Home Office. The Home Office advised that some of the information was not held, which was not disputed. It refused to provide the remainder citing sections 24(1) (National security), 31(1)(a) and (b) (Law enforcement) and 43(2) (Commercial interests) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that sections 31(1)(a) and (b) are properly engaged and that the public interest favours maintaining these exemptions. No steps are required.