Dear Mr Bacon

Freedom of Information Request F2009-205

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 1 September 2009. You asked for a copy of all the information held in the fields relating to `Project Performance for each record on DFID's ARIES database.

I can confirm that DFID holds information relevant to your request. However we are withholding it under the following sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Section 27 (1) (a) (c) and (d) (International Relations)

In applying this exemption, we have had to balance the public interest in withholding the information against the public interest in disclosing the information.

Factors in favour of disclosure include the general public interest in transparency and in raising awareness and understanding of how DFID works at a country level and how we aim to engage with partner governments and international organisations.

Factors against disclosure include the strong public interest in ensuring that DFID and the UK Government are able to promote international development and protect UK interests abroad. To do this there must be good working relationships with these other governments and international organisations based on confidence and trust. Disclosing opinions and sensitive information relating to them would be likely to damage these relationships; harm DFID's ability to work with and influence other donors in eradicating poverty and undermine the UK's ability to respond to international development needs.

We have concluded that the balance of public interest in this case favours withholding the information.

Section 36 (2) (b) and (c) (Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs)

In applying this exemption, we have had to balance the public interest in withholding the information against the public interest in disclosing the information.

The case for disclosure includes the clear public interest in openness and transparency in how government operates and in the effectiveness and efficiency of DFID's programmes, through which significant levels of public money are spent. Disclosure could also help to meet the strong public interest in accountability of government departments and in ensuring that DFID is achieving its objectives and delivering as planned.

On the other hand, however, the effectiveness of any project or programme review process relies heavily on the willingness of all stakeholders to fully engage and support it and to be open and frank in their contributions and assessments. This candour helps to ensure successful delivery of DFID's business and enables us to effectively manage any challenges in delivery. Disclosing the information you have requested is likely to discourage this openness and lead to less effective reviews as well as inhibiting others from engaging in free and frank exchanges of views with DFID in the future.

There is a very strong public interest in ensuring that DFID officials have space to develop their thinking and explore options when considering lessons learned from projects. There is also a very strong public interest in protecting the internal reporting process and refining the project evaluation process to make sure it can be as effective as possible and help strengthen management of DFID's projects and programmes. To do this DFID officials must have the opportunity to share full and frank advice with each other. If they feel inhibited from being candid with one another because of the risk of subsequent disclosure, the quality of internal advice and discussion will be diminished. This will, in turn, undermine our project and programme management and delivery.

We have, therefore, concluded that, in this case, the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it.

Section 40 (2) (Personal Information)

Section 40 is an absolute exemption under the Freedom of Information Act and there is, therefore no requirement to balance the public interest. We are withholding the names of individuals under Section 40 (2) of the Act as we believe that releasing details would breach the legitimate expectation of an individual's right to protection of their personal information.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me quoting reference F2009-205.

If you are unhappy with the service we have provided and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to Openness Unit at the address shown above or e-mail [DFID request email]

If you do make a complaint and are not content with the outcome, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Information Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted DFID's complaints procedure.

You can contact the Information Commissioner at the following address:

The Information Commissioner's Office,

Wycliffe House,

Water Lane,

Wilmslow,

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

John McGinn

Openness Unit

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED