Direct Communications Unit

2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF

Switchboard 020 7035 4848 Fax: 020 7035 4745 Textphone: 020 7035 4742

E-mail: [Home Office request email] Website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

[FOI #1100 email]

Mr Julian Todd

Reference: T19200/8

Dear Mr Todd,

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request, which we received by e-mail on 25/08/2008 at 12:44pm.

Firstly I would like to apologise for the delay in providing you with a full response to your query. We are still in the process of considering the public interest test specifically in relation to Section 24 of the Freedom of Information Act.

This is a qualified exemption relating to national security. In order to consider the public interest test fully we need to extend the 20 working day response period, and now aim to respond by 15 September 2008.

I appreciate the importance of promptly replying to queries for information and can assure you that we will aim to provide you with a full response as soon as possible.

Should you have any queries about the handling of your information request then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

J Fanshaw