Information on the First Minister's visit to Inverness Freeport: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from the meetings, briefings, analysis about John Swinney's visit to Inverness Freeport/visit to Sumitomo on November 18 2024, between October 15 2024 and December 15 2024.

Response

I enclose a copy of most 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 apply to that information. Exemptions are explained further in the paragraphs below.

1: Section 25(1) (information otherwise accessible) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested, as the information is already available online. 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. Links to online sources for the relevant information are provided below:

• Scottish Government video for social media: https://www.facebook.com/reel/613259664947512
• Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport news release: https://greenfreeport.scot/scotlands-first-minister-supports-ambition-for-highlands-net-zero-future/
• Previous FOISA request/response, which provides relevant information about the visit to Sumitomo: https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400442416/.

There are no further documents to provide in relation to the visit to Sumitomo on 18 November 2024.

2: Section 38(1)(b) (the personal data of a third party) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. 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.

3: Section 28(1) (relations within the United Kingdom) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. 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 recognise that there is some public interest in release, to ensure that government is open and transparent. However, disclosure of this information could negatively impact government relations and we consider that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of applying the exemption.

4: Section 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. 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 that the public are informed of Scottish Government decision making and policy development. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in releasing accurate information, e.g. final versions of documents, in order to avoid misleading the public.

5: Section 33(1)(b) (substantial prejudice to commercial interests) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. 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 that government is open and transparent. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting data that would cause substantial prejudice to the commercial interests of stakeholders who share information in confidence with the Scottish Government, and in ensuring that such companies and stakeholders are comfortable to do so in future.

6: Some redactions have been applied to material that is outwith the scope of this request.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500460404 - Information Released - Annex

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