GP service in Liberton High School: FOI release

Information requested

1. Details of any emails or written memos written by those working in the Scottish Government either as a civil servant or as a minister since 1st January 2022 pertaining to or mentioning a GP practice in the new Liberton High School building in South East Edinburgh.

2. The most important period of emails should revolve around the period of 1st January-1st June 2023 and relating to the withdrawal of funding for a GP service in the new Liberton High School building.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in the Annex.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information that you have requested because exemptions under sections s.30(b)(i) (Free and frank provision of advice), s.30(b)(ii) (Free and frank exchange of views) and section s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions applies are explained below.

Exemptions

s.30(b)(i) (Free and frank provision of advice), and s.30(b)(ii) (Free and frank exchange of views) of FOISA applies to some of the information. 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. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice on this matter will substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future, particularly where discussions are still ongoing.

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 and officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s response to public correspondence. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is 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.

s.38(1)(b) (personal information) regulates the relationship between FOISA, the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

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 202300382720 - Information Released - Attachment

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PDF

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1.8 MB