Documentation regarding the Cass report: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about Dr Hilary Cass's report on gender identity in your people including correspondence sent and received, briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, analysis, from the last three months?
Your request has been interpreted as relating to briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, etc. specifically about NHS England’s commissioned independent review into gender identity services for children and young people, as chaired by Dr Hilary Cass and published on 10 April 2024. This is commonly referred to as the Cass Review.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
Some of the information you have requested is available online via the following links:
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the websites listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
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 S30(b)(i) (free and frank exchange of advice), S30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views), and S38(1)(b) (personal information)] of FOISA applies to that information.
Section 30(b)(i) of FOISA states that information is exempt ‘if its disclosure would, or would like to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice.’
Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA states that “information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.”
Section 38(1)(b) states that “information is exempt information if it constitutes personal data and the first, second or third condition is satisfied (see subsections (2A) to (3A)).” Subsection 2A(a) states that “the first condition is that the disclosure of the information to a member of the public otherwise than under this Act would contravene any of the data protection principles”.
The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex B to this letter.
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.
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