Section 19 — Official Information Act 1982: Reason for refusal to be given

19 Reason for refusal to be given Where a request made in accordance with section 12 of this Act is refused, the Department or Minister of the Crown or organisation, shall,— (a) Subject to section 10 of this Act, give to the applicant— (i) The reason for its refusal; and (ii) If the applicant so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 or section 9 of this Act and (in the case of the interests protected by section 9 of this Act) there is no countervailing public interest; and (b) Give to the applicant information concerning the applicant's right, by way of complaint under section 28(3) of this Act to an Ombudsman, to seek an investigation and review of the refusal. Section 19(a)(ii) was amended, as from 1 April 1987, by section 4(2) Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8) by omitting the expression “ or section 8(1) ” . Section 19(b) was amended, as from 1 April 1987, by section 16(2) Official Information Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 8) by substituting the expression “ section 28(3) ” for the expression “ section 28(2) ” .