Minister meeting with Longannet Task Force: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
FOI reference: FOI/17/01339
Date received: 19 June 2017
Date responded: 4 July 2017
Information requested
A copy of all background notes and/or briefing/s provided to the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy with regard to the meeting with Longannnet Task Force in relation to the meeting on the local economy held on 1st March 217, and a copy of any minute and note taken during or subsequent to this meeting.
Response
Please find enclosed a copy of some of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under section s.33(1)(b) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why the exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.
Reasons for not providing information
Section 33(1)(b) – commercial interests
An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of private businesses. Disclosing this information would be likely to breach legitimate client confidential information that has been provided to Scottish Enterprise as privelaged information as part of the agency's Account Management/Client relationship.
This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of private businesses.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference.
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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