Correspondence between Scottish Government, ILI Group and Apatura Limited: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
Please can the Scottish Government provide all correspondence between its ministers, officials, advisers, or civil servants and the companies ILI Group and Apatura Limited. This should include emails, memos, minutes of meetings, text messages and exchanges on messaging apps, and any other relevant correspondence.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, exemptions under sections s.29 and s.33(1)(b) apply to some of the information you have requested and have been redacted on that basis.
Section 29 - Formulation of Scottish Administration policy applies to some elements of the correspondence that you have requested. Information is exempt under section 29 if it relates to the formulation or development of government policy.
Application of section 29 is subject to the public interest test. In this instance, it has been concluded that the public interest is best served by withholding the information, as disclosure would negatively impact the formulation or development of future government policy.
Section 33(1)(b) - Commercial interests and the economy also applies to a selection of the correspondence that you have requested. Information is exempt under section 33(1)(b) if its disclosure would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation.
The application of section 33(1)(b) is subject to the public interest test. In this instance, it has been concluded that the public interest is best served by withholding the information, as disclosure would be likely to adversely affect the commercial interests of the parties to whom the correspondence relates.
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.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG