Finally after a request for an Internal Review (which itself has been delayed 3 time - see next blog article), aand a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (which was to be resolved informally), here is the sort of reply we were expecting in the early part of June 2009:
From: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Add contact
To: [email]
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:14:53 +0100Reference : Tnnnn/9
Thank you for your e-mail enquiry of 02/06/2009 11:06:56 AM
An Interim reply is attached.
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Direct Communication switchboard 020 7035 4848
Fax: 020 7035 4745
Textphone: 020 7035 4742
E-mail: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk
[email]
[name]
Reference: Tnnnn/9Dear [name],
Thank you for your e-mail of 02/06/2009 requesting the names of companies that have received notices under the Data Retention (EC Directive) Regulations 2009. I can confirm that this information is held, but I regret that we are unable to send you a full response to your request within 20 working days, as required by the Freedom of Information Act. This is because we are considering whether or not the information should be disclosed.
In reaching that decision, we need to consider whether Section 31 (Prejudice to Law Enforcement Concerns) or Section 43 (Commercial Interests) apply and whether disclosure of the information would be in the public interest.
I would like to apologise for this delay and for any inconvenience that this may cause. 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 as soon as possible. We now aim to send you a full reply by 16 September
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,
[name of civil servant]
