I am today requesting that you release to me copies of any communications (including all emails) regarding consideration of the recent extension of Addison Lee's private hire operator licence between - 1) Staff within TfL's taxi and private hire department 2) TfL staff and representatives of Addison Lee 3) TfL staff and staff of the Mayor of London's office Please restrict your search to the dates 25th April 2017 - 27th August 2017.

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TfL Ref: FOI-1358-1718

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 5 September 2017 asking for correspondence.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.

However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 30(2)(iii) as the information is held in accordance with our responsibility for regulating the private hire trade in London. This information contains details which otherwise wouldn’t have been made available to TfL and the exemption applies to protect our ability to clarify and confirm details on specific issues.

This benefits the public as it enables greater oversight of private hire operators and better scrutiny of services by the regulator and our benefit because proactive discussion avoids costly enforcement activity, delayed access to information and increased bureaucracy.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise that there is public interest in this matter, however we feel the balance of the public interest supports the exemption in order to enable the effective and timely sharing of information between ourselves and the taxi and private hire trade.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Lee Hill

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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