Fergus Ewing and the Scottish Creel Fishermen's Federation meetings information: FOI release

Information requested

Details of any dates times and minutes relating to meetings between Fergus Ewing and the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation in the years:
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018

Response

In considering your request, we reviewed a number of documents and I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
We are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because of exemptions under the following sections of FOISA:

• 29(1)(b) Ministerial communications
• 30(b)(ii) Free and frank exchange of views

The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Additionally, some of the information you have requested is available on the Scottish Government website. Details of meetings can be found for each month under ‘Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts’. A list of these can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/search/?q=Ministerial+engagements

Reasons for not providing information - Annex
An exemption under section 29(1)(b) of FOISA (Ministerial communications) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to communications between Scottish Ministers.

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 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 Ministers a private space within which issues and policy positions can be explored and refined, until the Government as a whole can reach a decision that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space also allows for all options to be properly considered, so that good policy decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process.

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

These 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 officials can provide free and frank advice and views to Ministers in lines to take. It is clearly in the public interest that Ministers can properly answer Parliamentary questions, provide sound information to Parliament (to which they are accountable), and robustly defend the Government’s policies and decisions. They need full and candid advice from officials to enable them to do so. Premature disclosure of this type of information could lead to a reduction in the comprehensiveness and frankness of such advice and views in the future, which would not be in the public interest.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI-19-00704 Information released

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3 page PDF

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