Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what is the average time for the Information Commissioner to (a) open a case on a Freedom of Information Act appeal from time of application and (b) to substantively make a decision on a case once it has been opened, for (i) expediated and (ii) non-expediated requests.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is independent of Government and is responsible for deciding how Freedom of Information Act complaints are prioritised, investigated and resolved. Whilst DCMS sponsors the ICO, government policy for Freedom of Information sits with the Cabinet Office.

The Department does not hold the operational information requested. The ICO publishes information about its performance and case-handling activity on its website and reports annually to Parliament on its approach to complaints and investigations.