First Minister’s meeting with French Ambassador and with Deputy Ambassador of Israel: FOI release

Information requested

• Could you supply all documentation from John Swinney's meeting with the French Ambassadors on August 7, including correspondence (internal as well), minutes/notes from the meetings, briefing notes prepared, policy and analysis, between July 1 and date of this FOi?
• Could you supply all documentation from Angus Robertson's meeting with the Israeli Deputy Ambassador on August 8 including correspondence (internal as well), minutes/notes from the meetings, briefing notes prepared, policy and analysis, between July 1 and date of this FOI?

Response

• Could you supply all documentation from John Swinney's meeting with the French Ambassadors on August 7, including correspondence (internal as well), minutes/notes from the meetings, briefing notes prepared, policy and analysis, between July 1 and date of this FOi?

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 exemptions under sections 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii), 32(1)(a) and 38(1) (b) of FOISA apply to that information.  The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below.

Sections 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) to some of the information you requested. This exemption is in place in order for civil servants to be able to discuss and advise in a free and frank manner.

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 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 there may be public interest in the topic and we are committed to being an open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in a civil service that is able to provide free and frank advice to Ministers, as well as being able to discuss among themselves in an open manner without inhibition.

Section 32(1)(a) applies to some of the information you requested. This exemption is applied when substantial prejudice to international relations may arise.

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 the public may be interested in the topic and we are committed to being an open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in retaining good relations with other nations.

Section 38 (1)(b) applies to some of the information your requested. This exemption protects the personal data of third parties.

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.

• Could you supply all documentation from Angus Robertson's meeting with the Israeli Deputy Ambassador on August 8 including correspondence (internal as well), minutes/notes from the meetings, briefing notes prepared, policy and analysis, between July 1 and date of this FOI?

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

Some of the information you have requested is available from:
Scottish Government and Israeli embassy/government meetings: 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.

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 exemptions under sections 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii), 32(1)(a) and 38(1) (b) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below.

Sections 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) to some of the information you requested. This exemption is in place in order for civil servants to be able to discuss and advise in a free and frank manner.

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 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 there may be public interest in the topic and we are committed to being an open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in a civil service that is able to provide free and frank advice to Ministers, as well as being able to discuss among themselves in an open manner without inhibition.

Section 32(1)(a) applies to some of the information you requested. This exemption is applied when substantial prejudice to international relations may arise.

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 the public may be interested in the topic and we are committed to being an open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in retaining good relations with other nations.

Section 38 (1)(b) applies to some of the information your requested. This exemption protects the personal data of third parties.

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.

About FOI

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

FOI 202400431279 - Information Released - Annex

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41 page PDF

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