21 March 2009

Freedom of Information case 09/0296

Dear Margo MacDonald

I am writing to advise you that the time limit for responding to your request for information which the Department received on 22 February 2009 needs to be extended.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the Department to respond to requests promptly and in any case no later than 20 working days after receiving your request. However, when a qualified exemption applies to information and an accompanying public interest is engaged, the Act allows the time for response to be extended, in which case a full response must be provided within such time as is reasonable in all circumstances. In the case of your request, we have not yet reached a decision on where the balance of public interest lies.

The specific exemption which applies in relation to your request is Section 43 of the Act relating to commercial interests.

I hope to let you have a response by 10 April 2009.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above any future communications.

Yours Sincerely

Paul Bannister

Competition Policy and Mergers

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Margo MacDonald MSP

[email address]

Fair Markets, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

http://www.berr.gov.uk/

Direct Line +44 (0)20 7215 5009 | Fax +44 (0)20 7215

Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000 | Email [email address]

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