Information Access Team

Shared Services Directorate

2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF

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

E-mail: Info.Access@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Dr Geraint Bevan

[email address] July 6, 2009

new Ref:11476

Dear Dr Bevan

I am writing further to my correspondence of 5^th June regarding your clarified information request dated 23^rd February 2009.

We are considering your information request. Although the Freedom of Information Act carries a presumption in favour of disclosure, it provides exemptions which may be used to withhold information in specified circumstances. Some of these exemptions are subject to a public interest test. These exemptions are known as qualified exemptions. The public interest test is used to balance the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in favour of withholding the information under qualified exemptions. Section 10(3) of the Act allows us to exceed the 20 working day response target where reasonably necessary to consider the public interest test fully. This is subject to us telling applicants when we expect to conclude our deliberations and provide a full response.

The information requested must be considered under the exemption[s] contained within section[s] 31 (1)(a) and 31(1) (e) of the Act. These are qualified exemptions relating to the prevention and detection of crime, and the operation of immigration controls. 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 30th July 2009.

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

Yours sincerely

Diana Pottinger