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Matt Burgess
mattburgess100@gmail.com
FOI Reference: FOI321658
06/11/2015
Dear Matt Burgess
I refer to your request where you asked:
Please may you provide me with internal correspondence from the last three
months, surrounding:
The publication of the Cabinet Office's spend data over 25,000, in relation to the
publication of the data on the Gov.uk
webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-spenddata#history
I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I
have established that the information you requested is held by the Cabinet Office.
We consider, however, that disclosure of the information would fall within exemptions
contained in section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act. In particular, we consider
that sections 36(2)(b)(i) - on the basis that disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit
the free and frank provision of advice; and 36(2)(c) - on the basis that disclosure would
prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs are both applicable in this case. This is
because, in our view:

disclosure of the correspondence concerned would be likely to inhibit the

provision of free and frank advice as Civil Servants would be more reticent in
disclosing their opinions; consequently their advice would be less useful

the issues concerned in the correspondence relate to on-going matters, and to

make the opinions expressed public now would seem likely to have an adverse
effect on those currently engaged in formulating and taking forward the
necessary steps to improve the processes under discussion, and therefore in the
effectiveness of the department in improving its performance in this area.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact the FOI team. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request or wish
to request an internal review, you should write to:

Helen Ewen
Cabinet Office
70 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2AS
email: foi-team@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
You should note that the Cabinet Office will not normally accept an application for
internal review if it is received more than two months after the date that the reply was
issued.
If you are not content with the outcome of your internal review, you may apply directly to
the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Commissioner cannot
make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by
Cabinet Office. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
The Information Commissioners Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Yours sincerely

FOI Team
Cabinet Office