Correspondence regarding use of Cameron Barracks for asylum seeker accommodation: FOI release

Information requested

Copies of all correspondence, emails, briefings, and meeting notes between the Scottish Government and the UK Government (including the Home Office) relating to the potential or proposed use of Cameron Barracks, Inverness for asylum seeker accommodation.

Specifically, I would like:

1. Copies of all correspondence or communications from or to the UK Government concerning Cameron Barracks, between 1 August 2024 and 31 October 2025.

2. Any internal Scottish Government briefings, meeting notes, or memos prepared in response to, or discussing, that correspondence.

3. Any documents outlining the Scottish Government’s position, advice, or concerns communicated to UK officials.

If any information is being withheld under exemptions, please specify which exemptions apply and explain why.

I would prefer to receive the information in electronic format via email.

Response

Question 1

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because several exemptions apply. All of the information you have requested is exempt under sections 28 and 30 b (ii) of FOISA as disclosure would likely to prejudice substantially relations between administrations in the UK (between UK Government and Scottish Government), and also inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice to Ministers.

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 release in the interests of transparency and a legitimate interest in communication between UK Government and Scottish Government regarding all correspondence and communication from or to the UK Government concerning the Cameron Barracks.

However, there is a need to protect space for Ministers and their officials to discuss the use of Cameron Barracks. Any release of information could jeopardise or destroy the relationship which is not in the benefit to the people of Scotland.

Question 2

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, and have provided the attached Annex. However, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions s28, s29, s30 b (ii) and s38 (1)(a) apply to some of the information you have requested.

These exemptions are 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 release in the interests of transparency and a legitimate interest in communication between UK Government and Scottish Government regarding all correspondence and communication from or to the UK Government concerning the Cameron Barracks.

However, there is also a need to protect space for Ministers and their officials to discuss the use of Cameron Barracks. Any release of information could jeopardise or destroy the relationship which is not in the benefit to the people of Scotland.

Some of the information discussed is still in policy formulation and would not be appropriate or in the public interest to be released.

Additionally, s38 (1)(a) relates to personal data, civil servant names under SCS level have been redacted.

Please refer to the Annex (separate document attached) for information related to your request.

Question 3

Information relevant to your third question is already available. Under section 25 (information otherwise accessible) exempts information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

Please find the below links to letters that have been sent to UK Government concerning Cameron Barracks.

1. Letter to Home Secretary on 26 September:
Immigration and asylum: Letter to UK Government - gov.scot

2. Letter to Home Secretary on 29 October:
Accommodation for people seeking asylum: Letter to UK Government - gov.scot

3. Letter to Minister for Border Security & Asylum on 4 November:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/clarification-on-housing-people-seeking-asylum-letter-to-uk-gover…

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 202500491644 - Information released - Annex

File type

PDF

File size

914.7 kB