Highland Council correspondence on the use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers: FOI release

Information requested

All correspondence and communication that has taken place between the Scottish Government and The Highland Council on the use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers.

Response

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 several exemptions apply. Some of the information you have requested between Scottish Government and Highlands Council is exempt under Section 28 and Section 30(b)(ii) as disclosure would likely to prejudice substantially relations between Scottish Government and Highland Council as well as the UK Government. It would 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, Local Authorities, regarding correspondence from or to the Scottish 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 with the above groups which is not in the benefit to the people of Scotland.

Additionally, there is a significant risk that releasing such information could damage the Scottish Government’s relationship with Highland Council due to the sensitive nature of such discussions on Cameron Barracks. This would likely result in the Scottish Government being excluded from information sharing in the future.

I enclose some of the information you have requested. The attached annex contains some correspondence between the Scottish Government and Highland Council on Cameron Barracks.

Document 2 is an official note of a meeting that took place between Scottish Government and Highland Council which is also attached.

As asylum and immigration are reserved to the UK Parliament and handled by the Home Office, you may wish to contact the Home Office at foirequests@homeoffice.gov.uk to find out whether there is further information which they would be able to provide in relation to your 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 202500495712 - Information released - Annex

File type

PDF

File size

131.6 kB

FOI 202500495712 - Information released - Document 2

File type

PDF

File size

57.6 kB