FOI/202300339772 · FOI · partially withheld
Neil Gray's meeting with Consular Corps in October 2022: FOI release
Information requested
All items of information held in relation to the briefing prepared for minister Neil Gray for his meeting / video conference with the consular corps on 27 October 2022, and all notes and records of this meeting.
Response
I attach a copy of most of the information you requested. An exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information you have requested as this includes the names and contact details of Scottish Government staff. 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(s) under section 32(1)(a) of FOISA (substantial prejudice to international relations) applies to some of the information you have requested as this includes details of sensitive discussions with the consular corps. 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 to uphold open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting a private space for discussions between the consular corps and the Scottish Government. 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.
Detected exemption language
An exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information you have requested as this includes the names and contact details of Scottish Government staff. 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(s) under section 32(1)(a) of FOISA (substantial prejudice to international relations) applies to some of the information you have requested as this includes details of sensitive discussions with the consular corps. 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.