Section 24 applies to information whose exemption from the right of
access is required for the purpose of safeguarding national
security: in order to apply section 24, it will be necessary to decide
whether any harm to national security might result from its disclosure.
Key points:
In some circumstances it may be necessary to rely on both section
23 and section 24 in order to refuse to confirm or deny whether information
is held in order to fully protect the important public interests concerned;
When considering section 24, departments should be alive to the need
to consult the departmental security officer or other interested parties.
Section 24 is subject to a public interest balance.
A ministerial certification procedure exists where it becomes necessary
to rely on this exemption.
