The Scottish Government

Information Released in Response to an FOI Request

Note: If you have difficulty accessing the documents on this page and would like copies in a different format, please e-mail foi@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Key General Points to note

• Prior to January 2008 the Scottish Government system for recording requests for information received by it did not uniformly centrally record all requests, or details of how they were handled. This system was used by the previous administration. In recognition of the weaknesses of the old system a review was undertaken and since January 2008 a new improved database has been in place to ensure improvement of the centrally held data on handling of requests.
• However, not all requests received by the Scottish Government are centrally recorded. We do not seek to record what we refer to as "routine requests" - such as a request for an official publication and other requests that are dealt with routinely and easily. We only seek to record more "non-routine requests".
• Where it appears in either annex that information requested has either been withheld or a request refused, this includes instances where information is simply not held, where it is repeat request, or where dealing with the request would exceed the cost limit at prescribed by regulations made under the terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
• In both annexes names of private individuals and private addresses have been removed and replaced with [name] or [address].