Appeal in Data Sharing Case

The Information Tribunal has been seized by an appeal against a decision of the Information Commissioner in a case on data sharing. The Appellant requested information from the Cabinet Office relating to a Cabinet Committee which had been set up to consider data sharing in the public sector. The Cabinet Office disclosed some information. However, it refused to disclose minutes of the Committee’s meetings on the basis that they were exempt from disclosure under section 35 FOIA (policy exemption). The Cabinet Office also refused to disclose the names of junior civil servants who attended the meeting on the basis that this information was exempt under section 40(2) FOIA. The Commissioner held that that the Cabinet Office’s refusal to disclose the minutes was lawful. The Appellant is now appealing the Commissioner’s decision to the Tribunal.

Information Commissioner’s Decision Notice:

https://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/decisionnotices/2008/fs_50177136.pdf