Information Commissioner's Office

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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Information Commissioner's Office >> House of Commons (Central government) [2024] UKICO 252638 (31 January 2024)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKICO/2024/252638.html
Cite as: [2024] UKICO 252638

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House of Commons

The complainant submitted a four part request to the House of Commons (HoC) of which the first part of the request asked for information relating to how the HoC distinguishes between MPs’ paid lobbying and the criminal act of bribery. The second part of the request asked for information on allegations of bribery against MPs and what action has been taken by the HoC. The HoC said that it did not hold information within scope relating to the first part of the request. It relied on section 34(2) (Parliamentary privilege) and sections 21(1) and 21(2)(a) (Information accessible to applicant by other means) of FOIA to refuse to respond to the second part of the request. The Complainant has not challenged the HoC’s application of sections 21(1) and 21(2)(a) and therefore the Commissioner disregarded this aspect from any further consideration. The Commissioner is satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, the HoC does not hold recorded information within scope of the first part of the request. He also finds that the HoC is entitled to rely on section 34(2) of FOIA to refuse to provide any information falling within the scope of the second part of the request. The Commissioner does not require the HoC to take any steps.

FOI 34: Complaint not upheld

Decision notice: 252638