FOI/202400432765 · FOI · partially withheld
Guidance for briefings for each Scottish Government Minister: FOI release
Information requested
The guidance and templates for briefings for every Scottish Government Minister currently in post.
Response
I enclose a copy of the information you requested.
Exemptions under sections 29(1)(d) (operation of a Ministerial Private Office), and 30(c) (prejudice effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested as it relates to the operations of Ministerial Private Offices.
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 these exemptions. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption due to the importance of preserving a ‘safe space’ for the private office to focus on managing the minister’s work in an efficient and effective manner without external interference and distraction.
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.
Detected exemption language
Exemptions under sections 29(1)(d) (operation of a Ministerial Private Office), and 30(c) (prejudice effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested as it relates to the operations of Ministerial Private Offices. 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 these exemptions. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption due to the importance of preserving a ‘safe space’ for the private office to focus on managing the minister’s work in an efficient and effective manner without external interference and distraction.