Information Commissioner's Office

The Royal Mint

22 September 2015, Other

The complainant submitted a request to the public authority for information in relation to themes considered for commemorative coins issued by the public authority. The Commissioner’s decision is that: The exemptions at section 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) FOIA were correctly engaged by the public authority. However, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemptions did not outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information referred to as ‘the disputed information’ in the body of this notice. He further finds the public authority in breach of sections 17(1)(b), 17)(3)(b) and 17(7) FOIA. The Commissioner requires the public authority to provide the complainant with the disputed information. The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.

FOI 17: Upheld FOI 36: Upheld