Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) correspondence: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
1. All correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government regarding Neil Gray's visit to Glasgow University to launch the GERS paper.
2. All internal correspondence within the Scottish Government about who would be launching the GERs paper.
3. All outside correspondence received by the Scottish Government about the GERs paper between August 16 2023 and the date of this FOI.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. Annex A contains correspondence relating to Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray's visit to Glasgow University. Annex B contains correspondence about who would be launching the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) publication. Annex C contains correspondence received about the GERS publication.
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 under Section s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained at the link below:
Scottish Government policy on redaction of names: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
An exemption under Section s.33(1)(b) (commercial interests) also applies to some of the information you have requested. This relates to a small amount of information provided by University of Glasgow, and is not related to the GERS publication. 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 that there is public interest in release in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring third parties are able to be frank in their discussions with the Scottish Government about their commercial activities.
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.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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