Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office)

The complainant requested information about the Home Office’s procedures and compliance in procuring a specific premises for asylum seekers. The Home Office refused to confirm or deny holding the requested information under section 38(2) of FOIA: health and safety. The Commissioner has determined that the Home Office breached section 17 of FOIA because it responded outside the statutory time limit for compliance. However, he finds that the Home Office has correctly neither confirmed nor denied holding the requested information by virtue of section 38(2) of FOIA. The Commissioner does not require the Home Office to take any steps.