Having just spent 4 hours in a Police Station after being arrested for operating in a country where permission was given to me in the first instance I know how people act when they are fearful of what the consequences are of being summoned by those in higher office.
The fact is that a civil servants life is made difficult by saying yes to an application to do anything. Saying yes means extra work, extra responsibility and it is much easier to side step the issue and pass it on to someone else. Saying nothing leaves the door slightly ajar and saying No is the safest way out.