Line to take - LTT129 - Safe space arguments

• FOI/EIR: FOI, EIR
• Section/Regulation: s35, s36, reg 12(4)(e)
• Issue: Safe space arguments
• Source: Information Tribunal
• Details: DfES / The Evening Standard (19 February 2007); Scotland Office (08 August 2008); Scotland Office (05 August 2008) OGC / Oaten (11 April 2008 -High Court); DBERR / Friends of the Earth (29 April 2008)
• Related Lines to Take: LTT43, LTT62, LTT127, LTT128, LTT130, LTT131, LTT132, LTT133
• Related Documents: EA/2006/0006 (DfES), EA/2007/0070 (Scotland Office 08/08/2008), EA/2007/0128 (Scotland Office 05/08/2008), (OGC High Court, [2008] EWHC 638 (Admin), EA/2007/0072 (DBERR)
• Contact: LA
• Date: 29/10/2008
• Policy Reference: LTT129
• © Copyright Information Commissioner's Office, re-used with permission
• Original source linked from here: LTT

Line to take

There is a public interest in civil servants and ministers being able to formulate policy and debate “live” issues in Cabinet away from external scrutiny.

This need for a “safe space” exists separately to, and regardless of, any potential “chilling effect” on the frankness and candour of debate that might flow from disclosure under FOIA.

Safe space arguments may be accepted both in the context of policy formulation and of Collective Responsibility.

I'm out of league here. Too much brain power on disaply!