· FOI · partially withheld
Commissioner for Fair Access discussion paper: FOI release
Information requested
All correspondence between Scottish Government officials or external parties regarding the 'Commissioner for Fair Access discussion paper: retention, outcomes and destinations' published 23 January 2018. This should include any internal communications, external communications, meetings arranged, requested changes and any other relevant documents.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. As you will see, the "Commissioner's Commentary" section was prepared by the Commissioner himself and checked by the Scottish Government analysts and policy officials who support the Commissioner. Feedback was provided on the structure, format and accuracy of the commentary.
The statistical analysis which constitutes the main body of the paper, was prepared by Scottish Government analysts who support the work of the Commissioner. This section was reviewed and signed off by the Commissioner.
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 exemption(s) under sections 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) and 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.
Detected exemption language
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 exemption(s) under sections 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) and 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.