Releasing papers under the Official Information Act 1982

There is no blanket protection of Cabinet and committee papers and minutes from release under the Official Information Act 1982. Cabinet and committee records are covered by the Official Information Act in the usual way. See chapter 8 of the Cabinet Manual for detailed guidance on the protection and disclosure of Cabinet records and other official information.

Discussion in papers may include material that is likely to be withheld from public release in order to protect one or more of the interests recognised in the Official Information Act. If so, that material should be presented in a way that makes its status clear (for example, under a heading "legal advice"). Consideration should also be given to whether or not the paper requires a security classification. A security classification in itself does not provide good reason for withholding a Cabinet paper. However, it may provide a useful "flag" to indicate that there may be good reason under the Official Information Act for withholding the document.

If advice is required from the Cabinet Office, contact the relevant committee secretary in the first instance.

Security classifications for protecting official information