FOI/202100186120 · FOI · partially withheld
Communications between Special Advisors and civil servants relating to independence: FOI release
Information requested
From 1 March 2021 to present. Copies of all correspondence (emails, attachments, memos, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise relevant) between Special Adviser and civil servants regarding the draft independence referendum bill that was published 22 March.
Response
Some of the information requested is enclosed in Annex A. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, exemptions under Section 29(1)(a) Formulation of Government Policy, Section 30(b)(ii) Free and Frank Provision of Views, Section 30(c) – the effective conduct of public affairs, Section 36(1) – legal advice and 38(1)(b) (Personal Information) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex B. 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
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, exemptions under Section 29(1)(a) Formulation of Government Policy, Section 30(b)(ii) Free and Frank Provision of Views, Section 30(c) – the effective conduct of public affairs, Section 36(1) – legal advice and 38(1)(b) (Personal Information) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex B.