Economy minister Keith Brown's meetings in Germany: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/17/01617
Date received: 12 July 2017
Date responded: 10 August 2017

Information requested

All briefings prepared for economy minister Keith Brown's meetings in Germany between March 5, 2017 and March 8, 2017; and all minutes, actions points or notes taken following the individual meetings.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested at Annex B of this letter. Within this information there is a note which relates to a proposed meeting with Bosch Rexroth. I can confirm that this meeting did not take place, therefore, the note was not required.

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 exemptions under sections 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) and 32(1)(a)(i) (substantial prejudice to international relations) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex A to this letter.

Reasons for not providing information

Exemptions under sections 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) and 32(1)(a)(i) (international relations) of FOISA apply to the information you have requested.
An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to provide free and frank advice to Ministers before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view.

An exemption under section 32(1)(a)(i) of FOISA (international relations) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the United Kingdom and other European Governments and the European Union. The effective conduct of international relations depends upon maintaining trust and confidence between the UK Government and other States. There is a vital public interest in allowing Scottish Ministers and officials a private space within which to engage in full and frank discussions with their counterparts in other States/international organisations. Such discussion makes for better quality and better informed policies and decisions on issues with an international dimension and aids the protection and promotion of UK interests abroad. Inappropriate disclosure is likely to damage other States' confidence and trust in the UK and thus undermine future discussions and international relations more generally.

Both exemptions are 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 exemptions. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space within which to communicate with appropriate external stakeholders as part of the process of maintaining international relations after the EU Referendum. This private space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good decisions can be taken. Disclosure is also likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest. 

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FoI-17-01617 - Briefing pack for Minister's visit to Germany .pdf

File type

72 page PDF

File size

1.1 MB