Information Commissioner's Office

Ministry of Justice

30 September 2008, Central government

The complainant requested minutes of the meetings of the cross party group on House of Lords reform. This request was refused under section 35(1)(a) (formulation and development of government policy). The Commissioner is satisfied that the exemption is engaged, and has decided that – notwithstanding that the withheld information relates to a matter of such significance as House of Lords reform - in all the circumstances of this case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. The Commissioner has attached particular weight to the on-going and unresolved nature of policy formulation in relation to House of Lords reform, the risks of disruption to progress, the nature and status of the cross party group, the expectations of confidentiality which covered its discussions and the strong possibility that it may be re-convened.

FOI 35: Not upheld