The Home Office has replied regarding our FOIA request for the "official meeting diaries, agendas of meetings, travel and entertainment expenses involving Katharine Courtney, Stephen Harrison, and the post of Head of Marketing, from September 2001." i.e. the senior people in the Identity Cards Programme Team.
On the one hand, the Home Office is now in breach of the the Freedom of Information Act, as they admit that they have not provided a full reply within the statutory 20 working days.
On the other hand, at least it is not a formal refusal to disclose the information, which has been coming out in dribs and drabs, via Parliamentry Questions, referring to meetings with particular companies or other bodies.
Interestingly there is no talk of a "public interest balancing exercise" in this case.
The failure to reply within 20 working days, is of itself sufficient grounds to initiate an internal review and a possible appeal to the Information Commissioner.
Howeever, we are minded to give the Home Office a few more days before asking for an internal review of the case, provided that this does not end up as a delay which lasts beyond the time when the House of Lords is due to scrutinise the Identity Cards Bill.
N.B. currently there is no timetable slot officially published to indicate exactly when this Identity Cards Bill debate is set to happen in the House of Lords, but presumably this will be before the General Election is called i.e. probably before mid April at the latest.
Home Office
7th Floor, 50 Queen Anne's Gate,Telephone: 0870 000 1585
Fax: 020 7273 2065
Textphone: 020 7273 3476
E-mail: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Web Site: www.homeoffice.gov.ukaddress:
Dear Mr XXX
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
Thank you for your email received on 31 January in which you request the official meeting diaries, agendas of meetings, travel and entertainment expenses involving Katharine Courtney, Stephen Harrison, and the post of Head of Marketing, from September 2001.
I regret that we are unable to comply with your request within 20 working days, as required by the Freedom of Information Act. This is because further consideration is required. I would like to offer my apologies for this delay and for any inconvenience that this may cause. However I would like to assure you that we are dealing with your request as a matter of urgency, and that we will send you a full reply shortly.
If you have any queries about the handling of your information request in the meantime then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
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