King Charles portraits, Violence in schools report and Rape Crisis Edinburgh employment tribunal: FOI release

Information requested

1. How many Scottish schools and Scottish Government owned buildings received portraits of King Charles through the UK Government
programme and how many didn't?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/15/government-unveils-free-portrait-of-king-charles-for-publicbuildings#:~:
text=The%20Cabinet%20Office%20announced%20last,free%20portrait%20of%20King%20Charles.

2. How much did the Scottish Government spend on their violence in schools report and how much has been spent on implementing the
recommendations, with a breakdown of these costs?

https://www.gov.scot/publications/behaviour-scottish-schools-research-report-2023/pages/12/

3. Could you supply all documentation held, including correspondence sent and received, briefings and minutes/notes from briefings about the Rape Crisis Edinburgh employment tribunal?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ee39wn30xo#:~:text=A%20woman%20who%20worked%20at,staff%2C%20a%20tribunal%20has%20found.

4. How much has the Scottish Government given to Rape Crisis Edinburgh for the above-mentioned court case?

Response

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

The answer to your questions are:

1. While our aim is provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have
requested. The reasons why we do not have the information are explained in the Annex to this letter.

2. The Behaviour in Scottish School Research (BISSR) was awarded by competitive tender to the Scottish Centre for Social Research (Scotcen).
The total cost of the contract was £175,955.

3. I enclose all relevant documentation held containing 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 under section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption means the personal data, the disclosure of which would contravene data protection principles, is redacted. Personal data includes all information that relates to an individual, and includes identifiers such as name, address and date of birth. Additionally, section 30 (b) (free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views) applies to this information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below in the Annex of this letter.

4. No funds have been provided by the Scottish Government to cover the costs of the Employment Tribunal.

ANNEX
Question 1: The Scottish Government does not have the information

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for. The provision of portraits of His Majesty The King for UK public authorities is a UK Government programme so you may wish to contact the Cabinet Office to request any information that the UK Government hold on the programme.

The Department for Education in the UK Government may also hold information on the provision of portraits to schools. You may also wish to
contact individual local authorities who may hold this information regarding any Scottish schools in receipt of The King’s Portrait through the UK Government Programme.

This is a formal notice under 17 (1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Question 3: Exemptions applied and public interest test

An exemption(s) under sections 30 (b) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested. Section 30(b) applies as to disclose the
advice would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for officials to
have a private space within which to have free and frank discussions.

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 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 have free and frank discussions. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy and decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

An exemption under 29(1)(d) (Ministerial private office) applies to some of the information you have requested. Section 29(1)(d) applies as the
information relates to the operation of a Ministerial private office.

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 202400416898 - Information Released - Annex

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