Communications regarding prototype electric fire engine: FOI release

Information requested

All communications between Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Transport Scotland and Scottish Government relating to this electric vehicle.

A breakdown of the costs of the saltire livery for the engine and the costs of changing the livery to SFRS branding.

Any communications between Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Transport Scotland and Scottish Government relating to the branding/livery of this electric vehicle.

Response

I attach a copy of most the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have [some of the information you have requested. However, you may wish to contact the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on 0141646 4500 who may be able to help you. The reasons why we don't have the information are explained in the Annex to this letter.

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 sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information), s.33 (1)(b) (substantial prejudice to commercial interests), s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views) and s.30(c) (the effective conduct of public affairs) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Annex
The Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have asked for because Transport Scotland is not responsible for some of the information you are looking for, specifically on costs and branding of the livery.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested

An exemption(s) under section(s) s.38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption prohibits the disclosure of any information relating to an identified or identifiable living individual, who can be identified, directly or indirectly through data such as names, identification numbers, location data or on online identifier.

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 applying the exemption. An exemption under section 33 (1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Disclosure of this information would substantially prejudice the commercial interests of a public authority, company and partnership.

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 some public interest in release because, totality of public funds used to procure the electric fire appliance and associated livery would be of interest to the public for oversight of expenditure of public funds and that the public is obtaining value for money. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in prohibiting the disclosure of information which would substantially prejudice the commercial interests of a company. Disclosure of the total cost of the electric fire appliance would put the companies involved at risk of jeopardizing their commercial trading and associated financial impact. The disclosure of this information would give other companies in this sector a competitive advantage over the company involved in this project through seeing the financial details of this project.

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption refers to the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation, where disclosure would cause substantial inhibition.

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 some public interest in release to ensure the public remain adequately informed on processes . However, this is outweighed by the public interest in preventing the disclosure of information which would hinder fairness in relation to applications for public funding. Disclosure of this information would also hinder public sector from undergoing routine appraisals on delivery mechanisms, leading to misleading claims of government working.

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Information is exempt from being disclosed under this exemption as it would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.

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 some public interest in release because spending of public funds should remain transparent. However, this is outweighed by the public interest to ensure disclosure of information does not hinder fairness in relation to applications for public funding. The public interest in ensuring public sector’s decision-making processes are protected and prevent interference with Scottish Government’s ability to discharge it’s responsibilities.

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