Internal correspondence regarding the Scottish Government from the First Minister: FOI release

Information requested

All internal correspondence including, emails, letters, minutes and messages regarding the publication of the First Minister's speeches on the Scottish Government website for the last 18 months.

Response

I enclose a copy of most 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 s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. 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.

An exemption under s.30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption is applied to information that would, or would belikely to, inhibit the free and frank provision of advice should it be disclosed.

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 of the significance of speeches made by the First Minister. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting the free and frank provision of communications and propriety advice.

An exemption under s.30(b)(ii) (the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption is applied to
information that would, or would be likely to, inhibit the free and frank exchange of views should it be disclosed.

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 of the significance of speeches made by the First Minister. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting the free and frank exchange of views around Scottish Government approaches to communications activity.

In relation to your request, it might be helpful to note that where a Minister’s speech includes political content, is standard practice for those elements to be removed before being published on the Scottish Government website. Published speeches by the First Minister can be found here: First Minister's speeches - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). 

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 - 202400412231 - Information released - Annex A

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48 page PDF

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404.3 kB