Deferment of access

(1) A Ministry or prescribed authority which receives a request may defer the provision of access to the document concerned until the happening of a particular event (including the taking of some action required by law or some administrative action), or until the expiration of a specified time, where it is reasonable to do so in the public interest or having regard to normal and proper administrative practices. (2) Where the provision of access to a document is deferred in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, the Ministry or prescribed authority shall, in informing the applicant of the reasons for the decision, indicate, as far as practicable, the period for which the deferment will operate.