Update on what researchers have said regarding the establishment of a Peace Institute: FOI release

Information requested

A further update on what the researchers have said regarding the establishment of a Peace Institute" in relation to Parliamentary Question S6W-08830 which was answered by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans on the 8 June 2022.

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 section(s) s.29(1)(a) (policy formulation and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained below/in the Annex to this letter.

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 because releasing the information would allow for open and transparent government, additionally, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans had stated in his response to the above PQ that an update would be provided during summer 2022. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the information held within the researcher’s report relate to early stages of policy consideration where private space for consideration, discussion and the ability to advise Scottish Ministers in a full and frank manner is essential.

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FOI - 202200318448 - Final Report - Review to inform the development of the Scottish Peace Institute

File type

33 page PDF

File size

1.1 MB