Correspondence relating to barber shop businesses: FOI release

Information requested

Information on correspondence sent to or by Ministers on Turkish barber shops since 29 March 2023 and any briefings prepared for Ministers that include references to Turkish barber shops since 29 March 2023.

Response

I enclose a copy of most 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 an exemption under S.35(1)(a) (law enforcement) and S.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested.

An exemption under S.35(1)(a) applies to the information because disclosure would, or would be likely to, substantially prejudice the work of law enforcement.

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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of an open, transparent, and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in ensuring that the work of law enforcement is adequately protected. This is essential to prevent, detect or investigate crime without those functions being prejudiced.

An exemption under S.38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, including names and contact details of the individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1)of the General Data Protection Regulation and in S.34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. 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.

While not directly in the scope of your request, I have included two responses from Scottish Government officials to correspondence sent to Scottish Ministers.

The background note in the attachment relates to a parliamentary question which was tabled by Stephen Kerr MSP about barber shops. The question and answer are published on the Scottish Parliament website and can be found here: Written question and answer: S6W-37788 | Scottish Parliament Website

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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 202500473362 - Information released - Annex A

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