Information Commissioner's Office

Scotland Office

4 February 2008, Local government (District council)

The Complainant requested access to a file held by the Scotland Office. The Scotland Office refused this request under sections 28 and 35 of the Act. The Commissioner has investigated and found that section 28 is not engaged as the Scotland Office failed to demonstrate that disclosure of the information would, or would be likely to prejudice relations between the devolved administrations. The Commissioner found that section 35 was engaged, as the information does relate to the formulation and development of government policy, but concluded that the public interest favoured disclosure of the information. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclosure the requested information within 35 calendar days of this notice.

FOI 17: Upheld