· FOI · partially withheld
Correspondence with the Scottish Football Association: FOI release
Information requested
You asked for Correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and the Scottish Football Association as well as dates, locations and minutes of any meetings since November 2016.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested which are copies of documents contained in the attached document. 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 exemptions under sections s.30(b)(i) - Free and frank provision of advices, s.30(b)(ii) - Free and frank exchange of views, and 31(1) - National Security of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.
You also requested details of meeting between Scottish Government Ministers and the Scottish Football Association. I can confirm that the Minister for Public Health and Sport and Minister for Childcare and Early Years jointly chaired a round table discussion involving members of the Scottish Football Association. The Agenda and Action Points are contained in the supporting document.
Reasons for not providing information
Exemptions under sections s.30(b)(i) - Free and frank provision of advices, s.30(b)(ii) - Free and frank exchange of views, and s.31(1) - National Security of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.
The documents exempt under section s.30(b)(i) relates to briefing for engagements which Ministers undertook where the Scottish Football Association were involved. The document exempt s.30(b)(ii) - Free and frank exchange of views, for the purposes of deliberation. The document exempt under section s.31(1) contains detailed security arrangements for the Scotland v England World Cup Qualifier at Hampden, release of this information may hinder security arrangements for future fixtures.
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 an exemptions under sections s.30(b)(i) - Free and frank provision of advices, s.30(b)(ii) - Free and frank exchange of views, and 31(1) - National Security of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below. Reasons for not providing information Exemptions under sections s.30(b)(i) - Free and frank provision of advices, s.30(b)(ii) - Free and frank exchange of views, and s.31(1) - National Security of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The documents exempt under section s.30(b)(i) relates to briefing for engagements which Ministers undertook where the Scottish Football Association were involved. The document exempt s.30(b)(ii) - Free and frank exchange of views, for the purposes of deliberation.