Information Commissioner's Office

BBC

22 March 2016, Other

The complainant has requested information about the cost to the BBC of providing its staff at Media City UK in Salford Quays with free teas and coffee, together with the details of the drinks consumed. The BBC initially refused the request under section 43 – commercial interests, but at the internal stage it refused to provide the majority of the information under section 12 on the basis that complying with the request would exceed the cost limit for dealing with such requests. It did however provide some information on the brands of the beverages. The Commissioner’s decision is that the BBC is entitled to refuse the request under section 12. However, to date, the BBC has not provided the complainant with the advice and assistance required to enable him to make a fresh request which could be dealt with within the appropriate limit. This constitutes a breach of section 16. The Commissioner requires the public authority provide the complainant with appropriate advice and assistance.

FOI 12: Not upheld FOI 16: Upheld