Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for all correspondence received by Scottish Government Ministers regarding the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill since 1 August 2025.

Response

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

Some of the information requested has been withheld under section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, as it constitutes personal data relating to identifiable living individuals. Disclosure of this information would breach the data protection principles set out in Article 5(1)(a) of the UK General Data Protection Regulation, as there is no lawful basis for placing this personal data into the public domain. This exemption is absolute and is not subject to the public interest test. Where this exemption applies it is marked as "[redacted S.38(1)(b)]".

Some other information is also withheld because it is out of the scope of the request. Where this exemption applies it is marked as "[redacted - out of scope]".

Finally, we are withholding some correspondence between Scottish Ministers and UK Government Ministers under section 28(1) of FOISA. This is because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice relations between the Scottish Government and the UK Government by undermining the trust and candour essential to effective inter‑governmental working.

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, respective Ministers must be able to discuss freely and constructively, and releasing these exchanges would risk inhibiting such engagement. Where this exemption applies it is marked as "[redacted S.28(1)]".

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 202600508102 - Information Released - Annex

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