Scottish Justice information relating to meetings held by Humza Yousaf: FOI release

Information requested

 

Information from the Scottish Justice department relating to two meetings held by Humza Yousaf.
The meetings in question are the following:
https://www.lobbying.scot/SPS/InformationReturn/SearchInformationReturnDetail/8366
https://www.lobbying.scot/SPS/InformationReturn/SearchInformationReturnDetail/8624.
The information requested was:

•  The minutes of the meetings;
•  Any preparatory documents created by the Scottish governments for these meetings;
•  Any correspondence related to these meetings.

 

Response

 

Although registered separately, a single meeting took place, covering both Lobbying Register entires. I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested. As you allowed, names of junior staff have been redacted.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section(s) 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii) and 30 (c) (Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in Annex A to this letter.

 

Annex A
An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test

An exemption under section exemption(s) under section(s) 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii) and 30 (c) (Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies some of the information contained in one document which, although not directly related to the meeting, was potentially within scope. This document was a briefing for an earlier meeting unrelated to the purpose of this meeting but which was attached to one of the emails.
This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise there may be some public interest in release, but this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing the free and frank exchange of views between Government, officials and relevant stakeholders in considering approaches to deal with football-related issues.

 

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

 

foi-19-01076 Information requested

File type

45 page PDF

File size

1.4 MB