Meetings between the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs & Culture and Foreign Diplomats: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for the minutes/notes and briefings from all the following meetings:

• Angus Robertson and Faroese Deputy Prime Minister Høgni Hoydal on April 25 2024
• Any meetings Angus Robertson held with foreign diplomats on May 1
• Angus Robertson meeting with experts from the German Federal Chancellery and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action on May 8

Response

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

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, this the Scottish Government does not hold some of the information you requested because no meeting took place with the German Federal Chancellery and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action on 08 May 2024.

Regarding the other elements of your request, in these instances we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections s.38(1)(a) (personal information); s.30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice); s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views); s.32(1)(a)(i) (relations with other states); s.29(1)(a) (development of Scottish Government policy); s.30(c) (prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below.

s.38(1)(a) (personal information)

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

s.30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice)
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 some public interest in release because there is a general interest in open and transparent government and some specific interest in the Scottish Government's relations with foreign governments. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring Scottish Ministers can give and receive advice freely in private in order to make decisions effectively.

s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views)

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 some public interest in release because there is a general interest in open and transparent government and some specific interest in the Scottish Government's relations with foreign governments. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring Scottish Ministers can express their views and respond freely to questions from diplomats and foreign Ministers in private.

s.32(1)(a)(i) (relations with other states)

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 some public interest in release because there is a general interest in open and transparent government and some specific interest in the Scottish Government's relations with foreign governments. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting and promoting positive relations with other states.

s.29(1)(a) (development of Scottish Government policy)

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 some public interest in release because there is a general interest in open and transparent government and some specific interest in the Scottish Government's relations with foreign governments. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring Scottish Ministers and officials can develop policy options and consider potential costs and benefits fully before making decisions and public announcements.

s.30(c) (prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs)

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 some public interest in release because there is a general interest in open and transparent government and some specific interest in the Scottish Government's relations with foreign governments. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that ministerial offices have the opportunity to consider draft content for publication in private before the final version is confirmed. Releasing draft content undermines the effective delivery of Scottish Government communications.

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 202500461823 - Information Released - Annex

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