Integration Division Eland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5DU

T 030 344 42081 philip.davies@ communities.gsi.gov.uk www.gov.uk/dclg

Mr George Eaton By email: george@newstatesman.co.uk 12 February 2013

Ref F0006519

Dear Mr Eaton I am writing in response to your request of 15 January for information about estimates of future migration to Britain from Romania and Bulgaria. The Department for Communities and Local Government holds information that you requested and I am dealing with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The FOI Act obliges the department to respond to requests within 20 working days. However, when one or more qualified exemptions apply to the information and the Department requires further time to carry out its consideration of the balance of the public interest, we are permitted to extend the time for response. We do, of course, aim to make all decisions within 20 working days, including in cases where we need to consider where the public interest lies in respect of a request for exempt information. Your request, however, raises complex public interest considerations which must be analysed before we can come to a decision. The specific exemption(s) I am considering are under:

Section 36 (2)(a)(i) of the Freedom of Information Act, information which, if disclosed, would, or would be likely to prejudice the maintenance of the convention of the collective responsibility of Ministers of the crown.

Section 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) of the Freedom of Information Act; information which, if disclosed, would, or would be likely to inhibit the free and frank (i) provision of advice and (ii) exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. In your case I need to extend the response time by 20 working days to give me time to decide if the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it. I plan to let you have a response by 12 March 2013. If there is a need for any further extension of time I will let you know.

For information about the FOI exemptions and the public interest test, see the Information Commissioners website . As an organisation, the Department for Communities and Local Government aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter by contacting foirequests@communities.gsi.gov.uk In the event that you remain dissatisfied following the Departments review you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner (ICO) for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the Internal Review procedure provided by the Department. If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications about this request. Yours sincerely Philip Davies Integration Division