Cabinet Secretary meeting Tim Alderslade CEO Airlines UK: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/17/01394
Date received: 19 June 2017
Date responded: 14 July 2017

Information requested

A copy of all background notes and/or briefing/s provided to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution to meeting with Tim Alderslade CEO of Airlines UK on the Air Departure Tax held on 1st March 2017.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

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 exemption under section 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained below.

Reasons for not providing information

An exemption applies.

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested because it relates to the development of the Scottish Government's policy on the overall 50% reduction of Air Departure Tax.

An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test.

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

This exemption is 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 the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the discussions on the Scottish Government's policy on the overall 50% reduction of Air Departure Tax will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government's view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development.

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

FoI1701394 - Airlines UK - PS Minutes.pdf

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2 page PDF

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95.8 kB