Scottish International Development Fund: FOI release

Information requested

1. Does the Scottish Government possess information outlining the lawful basis for the decision to establish a Scottish International Development Fund?

2. Does the Scottish Government possess information concerning the decision to cease the report on contributions to the International Development in 2019?

3. Does the Scottish Government possess information detailing the year on year spend by the Scottish International Development Fund since 2019?

Response

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

1. In response to your first request, this has been covered in previous FOIs and is therefore already in the public domain – please see correspondence relating to International Development: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

2. With regards to your second question, please see attached for information with reference to the decision to not progress a CIDR report since 2019, and also the decision to do a further CIDR report which is forthcoming in 2024. To note, some information contained within this documentation has been redacted.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. the names and contact details of individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act 1998. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

Additionally, an exemption under section 30(b)(ii) 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 exchange of views. 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. 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 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 exchange full and frank views, as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy position. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, based on the best available advice, so that good policy decisions can be taken. 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 policy making process, which would not be in the public interest.

Finally, some sections of correspondence and attachments have been redacted because the information does not fall under your request, and are marked as "redacted- out of scope".

Please find relevant correspondence attached. These are as follows:

• An email exchange between the Head of International Development Team and Director for External Affairs, dated 18th January, 2022.
• Ministerial Engagement Report from 12th September, 2023.
• Email to Minister of Culture, Europe and International Development on 17th January 2024 seeking Ministerial agreement to publish a new CIDR for 2021-23, and Ministerial agreement 22 January 2024.
• Scottish Government email dated 4 February 2024 to the Chief Executives of international development networking bodies - Scotland’s International Development Alliance, the Scotland Malawi Partnership, the Malawi Scotland Partnership and the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.

3. In relation to your third question, please find attached a list of Scottish Government International Development Projects, from April 2018 – 4th March 2024. This includes the amount each project
received in GBP.

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 202400407734 - Information Released - Annex A

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21 page PDF

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1.0 MB