Dear Mr Bosley

Our ref:  FOI-0640-1617

Thank you for your email of 21 June 2016 requesting iBus and London
Underground recordings.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that
we do hold the information you require. However, in accordance with the
FOI Act, TfL is not obliged to supply the audio files for London
Underground’s Tube announcements as the information is subject to a
statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section
43(2).

In this instance section 43(2) has been applied as disclosure of the
information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial
interests of TfL and/or Global Services Ltd. The recordings in question
were provided to London Underground from Global Services Ltd under a
signed contract which contained explicit conditions concerning disclosure
and distribution.

The contract specifies that the recordings are solely to be used for the
purpose for which they were created and for broadcast on the London
Underground network only. If TfL were to disclose these recordings in
response to an FOI request, it would constitute an actionable breach of
contract and would be likely to result in a valid legal claim against
London Underground or the license to use the recordings being withdrawn,
which would impose additional, unnecessary, costs. TfL wishes to protect
its commercial interests and ability to participate in future commercial
activity. The disclosure of this information would be to the detriment of
present and future business activities for both parties.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public
interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. TfL
recognises the need for openness and transparency within public
authorities and the degree of public interest concerning London transport
announcements in light of the recent disclosure of iBus announcements.
However, in this instance this is outweighed by the damage that would be
done to TfL’s ability to use these recordings and any future contractual
negotiations that may take place regarding the London Underground
announcements.

We are only able to provide you with the iBus announcements on CD. You can
send us a private email giving a postal address to us at: FOI @
tfl.gov.uk. Alternatively, you may prefer to collect a CD from our offices
in Victoria Street, London, SW1. If you wish to collect the CD from our
offices please let us know in advance when you will be coming so that we
can have the CD waiting for you.

If we hear nothing further from you by 14 July 2016 your response will be
treated as a new request.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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References

Visible links
1. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/

Dear Mr Bosley

Our ref: FOI-0640-1617

A CD containing the iBus recordings has been sent to you at the address
provided.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to
appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would
like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/