Information Commissioner's Office

Cabinet Office

1 November 2016, Central government

The complainant has requested information relating to the Korea Post-Armistice Military Medals Review. The Cabinet Office argued that it did not hold some of the information within the scope of his requests for the purposes of FOIA. As regards the information it did hold, it argued that this was exempt under section 35 (formulation/development of government policy) and section 37 (honours information). It upheld this at internal review. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office does not hold much of the requested information for the purposes of FOIA. Some of the information it does hold has been correctly withheld under section 37(1)(b). This is detailed in a confidential annex to this Notice. The Commissioner requires the public authority to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. The confidential annex to this notice sets out which information cannot be withheld under section 35(1)(a) nor under section 37(1)(b). The Cabinet Office must disclose this information. Provide the complainant with the link specified in the confidential annex to this notice.

FOI 3: Not upheld FOI 37: Partly upheld