90.This section provides an absolute exemption for information which is otherwise accessible to the applicant. The exemption covers information which is available on the payment of a fee or charge, and information available by virtue of other legislation. An example would be birth, death or marriage certificates available under other legislation. The exemption also sets out that information (other than information which the authority is statutorily obliged to make available, or information held by the Keeper of the Records) cannot be exempt on the basis that is reasonably obtainable merely because it is available from the authority which holds it – unless it is made available in accordance with that authority’s publication scheme and any payment required is specified in or determined in accordance with the scheme.
91.Section 25(2)(b)(ii) sets out the circumstances when information held by the Keeper of the Records of Scotland is to be taken to be reasonably obtainable, and hence exempt.
92.Essentially, the exemption provides that the full provisions of the Act need not apply to information which is otherwise accessible to the applicant.