Information Commissioner's Office

Home Office

30 October 2017, Central government

The complainant requested information relating to the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement (VPR) Scheme in relation to Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. The Home Office confirmed that it held some relevant information but refused to disclosed it citing sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) (inhibition to the free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views) and 36(2)(c) (other prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) and section 40(2) (personal information) of the FOIA. The Commissioner is satisfied that section 36(2)(c) of the FOIA is engaged and that the public interest in disclosure is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining the exemption. However, in failing to respond to the request within the statutory time limit the Home Office breached section 10(1) of the FOIA (time for compliance). The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken as a result of this decision.

FOI 10: Upheld FOI 36: Not upheld