Faith and Belief Conference information: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.


Information requested

First Minister John Swinney attended the Faith and Belief Conference in Edinburgh on 30th October.

Please provide the following about this event:

1. A copy of the attendee list for the event. I assume a list was provided for the First Minister and his office to look at.

2. A copy of any and all briefing materials provided to the First Minister ahead of the event.

3. Copy of the speech the First Minister made at the event.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

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 exemptions under sections of FOISA applies to that information. [The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below;

29(1)(b) - Ministerial communications
38(1)(b) - Third party personal data
29(1)(a) - Formulation/development of government policy
30(b)(i) - Substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice

The reason for exemptions

29(1)(a) - Formulation/development of government policy
29(1)(b) - Ministerial communications
30(b)(i) - Substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice

FOISA recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to provide free and frank advice to Ministers before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view and may inhibit the provision of such advice in the future.

These exemptions are subject to the 'public interest test'. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. 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 exemptions. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption for the advice as there is a greater public interest in protecting the process of providing advice and ensuring that the Scottish Government is able conduct this aspect effectively.

About FOI

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

FOI 202400438775 - Information released - Annex A

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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