Publication - FOI/EIR release

Contracts in place regarding GFG Alliance, Lochaber Guarantee and Reimbursement agreement: FOI release

Published: 16 September 2021
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202100226683
Date received: 29 July 2021
Date responded: 26 August 2021

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Information requested

Please supply a copy of all contracts in place with Deloitte regarding the GFG Alliance / Lochaber Guarantee and Reimbursement Agreement.

Response

Attached is a copy of most of the information requested. This is because exemptions apply under section 33(1)(b) FOISA (commercial interests) and 38(1)(b) FOISA (personal information). The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained in Annex A.

ANNEX A
REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION
An exemption under section 33(1)(b) 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 the commercial entities involved.

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 public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government and to help to account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of companies which enter into contract with the Scottish Government, to ensure that we are always able to obtain the best value for public money.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it contains personal details of individuals.

This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in apply the exemption.

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.