FOI/202400414637 · FOI · partially withheld
Media appearances, education and lifelong learning in an independent Scotland, Independence and Gaelic Minister posts: FOI release
Information requested
1. Could you supply all of the briefings written for John Swinney ahead of his round of media appearances on Friday May 10?
2. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, all briefings held, all minutes/notes from meetings, about the launch of “education and lifelong learning in an independent Scotland” paper, between February 1 and March 30 2024.
3. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, all briefings held, all minutes/notes from meetings, about the Independence Minister post, between May 1 and May 18 2024?
4. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, all briefings held, all minutes/notes from meetings, about Gaelic becoming a Cabinet post, between May 1 and May 18 2024?
Response
Part 1
On Friday May 10, the First Minister did a round of morning TV interviews and made three visits. While all of the visits had communications elements, there was only one when where he was interviewed by media (Levenmouth).
Some of the information you have requested is enclosed at Annex A of this letter. Exemptions under Sections 29(1)(a), 30(b)(i) and 38(1)(b) apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are outlined in Annex D.
Part 2
I have interpreted your request as being about the launch of the Building a New Scotland paper, “Education and lifelong learning in an independent Scotland”, which took place at Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery on 25 March 2024.
Some of the information you have requested is enclosed at Annex B of this letter. Exemptions under Sections 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii), 30(c) and 38(1)(b) apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are outlined in Annex D.
Part 3
The information you have requested is enclosed at Annex C of this letter.
Part 4
An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to all of the information requested. The reason why this exemption applies is outlined in Annex D.
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Detected exemption language
Exemptions under Sections 29(1)(a), 30(b)(i) and 38(1)(b) apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are outlined in Annex D. Exemptions under Sections 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii), 30(c) and 38(1)(b) apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are outlined in Annex D. Part 4 An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to all of the information requested.