Department for Enterprise
59 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 274.6%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Department for Enterprise reveal an authority that is selectively transparent, often disclosing aggregate statistics and operational timelines while rigorously guarding specific financial details and commercial relationships. A dominant theme is the 'commercial interest' exemption, which is repeatedly invoked to withhold data on the Isle of Man TT (357873, 357871) and major business grants (1373637, 522836). While the Department readily provides figures on trademark income (357847) or website development costs (1060362), it consistently refuses to compile or release data on safety expenditures, rescue operations, and the specific financial terms of government support for key industries like Triumph and Eagle Labs. This pattern suggests a strategy of maintaining public confidence in the event's popularity while obscuring the true fiscal risks and subsidies involved.
Key Cases
Case 357873 — This case represents a significant transparency failure regarding public safety. The Department withheld all information on the costs of rescue helicopters, safety equipment, and road barriers for the TT, citing 'commercial interests'. Given the life-or-death nature of these expenditures, the refusal to disclose safety spending is highly contentious.
Case 1060362 — A rare instance of full financial disclosure for a digital project. The Department revealed the exact cost (£137,144.18) of developing and running the 'iomttraces' website and timing system, providing a clear benchmark for the cost of government digital infrastructure that contrasts with the redactions seen in other tech cases.
Case 1373637 — This case highlights the 'economic prejudice' exemption used to shield major corporate relationships. The Department confirmed no grants were given for a new Triumph factory but withheld specific details on grants awarded since 2013, preventing public scrutiny of the financial support given to one of the island's largest employers.
Case 1854325 — A politically sensitive case involving the Chief Minister. The Department withheld details on whether Howard Quayle received public COVID-19 support for his holiday cottages, citing personal data and breach of confidence. This refusal to confirm or deny high-level political financial interests undermines public trust.
Case 357847 — This case provides a crucial baseline for the TT's commercial value. By disclosing the total income generated by licensing the TT trademark from 2012-2016, it reveals the revenue stream that often offsets the massive undisclosed costs seen in other cases, painting a partial picture of the event's financial reality.
Related FOI Stories
The True Cost of the Isle of Man TT — #357847, #357853, #354749, #357861, #357867
Enterprise Development Scheme & Business Support — #357891, #462337, #514142, #522836, #617366
Infrastructure: Broadband, Telecommunications & Digital Strategy — #1206549, #1327609, #1368137, #1470773, #1050263
Land Registry, Housing & Development — #354735, #357743, #357859, #357863, #357885
Immigration, Work Permits & Employment — #357739, #449057, #455234, #498133, #881965
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | Consultation on changes to Employment Tribunal Rules | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the origin and consultation process for proposed changes to Employment Tribunal Rules regarding cost awards, specifically questioning if they targeted the Sutton v Creechurch Capital case. The Department for Enterprise disclosed the internal decision-making process and consultations but withheld the identity of the initial contact citing data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2018-04-16 | MICTA | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for detailed financial records, membership data, and meeting logs regarding the Manx ICT Association (MICTA) and its funding from the Department for Enterprise. The authority released a 2014 management agreement but withheld specific financial details and reports citing commercial confidence. | ||
| 2018-04-04 | Unpublished FOI requests | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for statistics on Freedom of Information requests received, refused, answered, and published by the Department for Enterprise over the previous 12 months. The authority provided a detailed breakdown of request outcomes, noting that while some information was exempt, all responses had since been published on the government log. | ||
| 2018-03-06 | Lord Street/North Quay development | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for communications, tender documents, rent details, and a draft lease regarding the Lord Street/North Quay development. The Department for Enterprise released correspondence from the three months prior to the request but redacted personal contact information for developer staff. | ||
| 2018-01-17 | Conference attendance | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the names and attendance details of political members and civil servants at the ICE Totally Gaming exhibition, including hotel arrangements and accompanying family members. The Department for Enterprise disclosed the names of senior attendees and their schedule but withheld the names of junior staff and information regarding family travel under data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2017-08-14 | Motorsport questions | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for financial details regarding the Isle of Man Motorsport Development Group and the 2017 TT/MGP events was partially fulfilled, with specific expense figures provided but individual salaries withheld due to data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2017-08-02 | Breakdown of support to each rally/motorsport event that occurs on Island | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2017-05-21 | Information on TT trademark contract | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for payment details and work descriptions regarding Eversheds' TT trademark services contract. The authority disclosed the scope of work performed but withheld payment amounts citing commercial interest exemptions. | ||
| 2017-04-21 | Information relating to land registered below the Bayview Hotel Port St Mary. | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought correspondence and file notes regarding the registration of two land titles below the Bayview Hotel in Port St Mary, specifically questioning the omission of public rights of way and the legality of government land disposal. The Department for Enterprise released a memo explaining the registration decision but withheld other documents citing pre-Act creation dates and exemptions related to Land Registry rules and the conduct of public business. | ||