Secretary of State for Defence (Ministry of Defence)

The complainant submitted a request to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) seeking information on the usage of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Porton Down range. The MOD withheld the requested information on the basis of sections 24(1) (national security), 26(1)(b) (defence), 31(1)(a) (law enforcement) and 38(1) (health and safety) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the requested information is exempt from disclosure on the basis of section 26(1)(b) of FOIA and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption.