Clydebank Women's Aid documentation: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), analysis, about Clydebank Women's Aid, from the last six months.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
In response to your question regarding correspondence sent or received about Clydebank Women's Aid, we have attached the following documents:
- Enclosure 1
- Enclosure 2
One document has been withheld in full under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA and four documents have been withheld in full under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA. This exemption covers information where disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice (section 30(b)(i)) or exchange of views (section 30(b)(ii)) for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on policy development and Ministerial decisionmaking would substantially inhibit such discussions in the future.
This exemption is subject to the public interest test. Taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in transparency and accountability in government decision-making. However, we consider this is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining a space for officials and Ministers to provide advice or exchange views freely and frankly, particularly on sensitive or complex matters. On balance, we have concluded that the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.
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