Correspondence regarding Ferguson Marine being awarded contracts to build ships: FOI release

Information requested

You asked if we could supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes ffom meetings, briefings, analysis, about Ferguson Marine being directly awarded contracts to build ships, from the last two weeks.

Response

Some of the information you have requested is available from https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/ministerial-statement-ferguson-marine-march-3-2026. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

I have attached some documents to this response with the appropriate redactions. You will note that the Ministerial statement is not included within these attachments, but that is because I have included a link to the statement for you to access above.

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 section 30(c) Substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs, and section 36(1) Confidentiality of communications of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.

Section 30(c) – Substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to some of the information requested. It is essential for officials to be able to communicate often in confidence on a range of issues. 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, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which to communicate the process of exploring and refining the Government’s position on Project Sakura. This private space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good decisions can be taken based on fully informed advice and evidence. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

Section 36(1) - Confidentiality of communication

Section 36(1) provides for an exemption for information in respect of which a claim to confidentiality of communications could be maintained in legal proceedings.

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 202600509519 - Information Released - Documents

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