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Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) minutes

  • Last modified date:
    9 February 2007
Copies of minutes of the meetings of the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH).

Question

Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 I am writing to request copies of the minutes of all meetings of the:

  • Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH)
  • Technical Advisory Group to SCOTH

Response

A copy of this information is enclosed.  Parts of the text of the enclosed documents have been redacted in order to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act.  The exemptions which apply are those specified in Section 35, which covers information whose release could be prejudicial to the formulation of Government policy, Section 40, which covers individual personal data, and Section 43, which covers information whose release could be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Department or of any other entity.  Redactions should be understood to have been made under Section 40 unless indicated otherwise.

As explained above, Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act relates to information whose release could be prejudicial to the development of policy.  However, the exemption is a qualified exemption, and we are required to assess as objectively as possible whether the balance of public interest favours disclosing or withholding the information.  In general, there is a strong public interest in preserving the freedom of discussion that takes place when the development of policy is being considered.  However, there is also a public interest in allowing the free expression of advice in the development of policy. In this case I have determined that the balance of public interest favours withholding the information.

Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act relates, as stated, to information whose release could be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Department or any other entity.  However, the exemption is a qualified exemption, and we are required to assess as objectively as possible whether the balance of public interest favours disclosing or withholding the information.  In general, there is a strong public interest in the availability of information about public sector activity.  However, there is also a public interest in ensuring that commercial information provided in confidence remains confidential to allow policy decisions to be based on the best available information. In this case I have determined that the balance of public interest favours withholding the information.

Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) minutes

SCOTH Technical Advisory Group minutes

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