Parliamentary written question queries: FOI release

Information requested

(2) Between 1 January 2025 and present date, on how many occasions, broken down by Scottish Government Minister/Cabinet Secretary, has a Scottish Government Minister or Cabinet Secretary, when presented with a draft response to a parliamentary written question, responded with any other decision than approving that draft response as is.

(3) Copies of all written materials held by the Scottish Government relating to information requests and parliamentary written questions qualifying under (1) and (2).

(4) Between 1 January 2025 and present date, on how many occasions, broken down by Scottish Government Minister/Cabinet Secretary, has a Scottish Government Minister or Cabinet Secretary been presented with a) a draft response to a Freedom of Information Request and b) a draft response to a parliamentary written question.

I am responding to the request for information relating to parliamentary written questions (PQ) only.

Information relating to FOIs will be responded to separately.

Response

Questions (2) and (3)

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600. The Scottish Government does not report on whether a draft response was accepted or returned. To provide the information, for the period requested, we would required to locate and review 4,400 PQs answered in that time. Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.

You may, however, wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order that the costs can be brought below £600. You may wish to consider a shorter timescale, a specific Minister or a particular subject you are interested in. You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.

Question 4

As indicated above, for the period requested, 4,400 written PQs were asked and subsequently answered. In each, a draft response was provided to the respective Minister for approval. Please find attached a breakdown by Scottish Minister at ANNEX A.

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 202500464097 - Information released - ANNEX A

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