Historic Environment Scotland communications regarding the Ballantines Iron Castings: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for "please provide all written and electronic communication between Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland regarding the Ballatines Iron Castings archive since 2024 to the present date."

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 an exemptions under sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information), and s.33(1)(b) (commercial interests) of FOISA applies to that information.

An exemption under section s.38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested because it is personal data of a third party, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. 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 s.33(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of Ballantines Castings Ltd.

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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money.

However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of companies which are involved with public finances, to ensure that we are always able to obtain the best value for public money.

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 202600508458 - Information Released - Documents

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