Meeting of the Parliament 20 June 2018
The way in which it is phrased gives a clear indication of what is to be achieved. It does not ask for more information; it asks about what information is to be released and whether that is right.
It appears to me that the Government’s guidance on handling FOls is lacking and that special advisers are constantly overstepping the mark and undermining the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
My colleagues who are sitting beside me and the journalists who are watching the debate will all have examples of freedom of information requests having been delayed or ignored. There is clear evidence that this Government treats FOI requests from MSPs and journalists differently, which goes against the applicant-blind principle of FOI laws. When it comes to FOIs, we should all be treated the same.
This Scottish Government is based on secrecy and control. MSPs and journalists know that getting information from this Government is like drawing blood from a stone. They have to ask the right questions, and probably a sequence of them, before they get the information that they have reasonably requested. It is deeply disingenuous that we are forced to play a cynical game to get information that should be in the public domain.
Democracy is not a game. Democracy requires Governments to be open, transparent and accountable. It is time that the Scottish Government was democratic.
I move amendment S5M-12861.1, to insert at end:
“, and further calls on the Scottish Information Commissioner to make public the report on the government’s implementation of the action plan when approved annually.”
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.