Documentation regarding the First Ministers trip to London to speak at Institute for Government: FOI release

Information requested

'All briefings written for and minutes/notes from meetings from John Swinney's trip to London on November 19 and any feedback written about it afterwards'

Response

I enclose a copy of some 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(s) under the following sections of FOISA apply:

28 - Substantial prejudice to UK relations

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. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the countries in the UK maintaining good working relationships.

32(1)(a) - Substantial prejudice to international relations

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. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the UK maintaining strong working relationships internationally.

30(b)(i) - Substantial inhibition to 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. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in civil servants being able to provide free and frank advice to Ministers.

38(1)(b) - Third party personal data

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.

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 202600501448 - Information Released - Annex A

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