Lorna Slater's visit to Rum 12 May 2023: FOI release

Information requested

Any correspondence, attachments, briefing notes, memos and relevant information concerning Lorna Slater's visit to the Isle of Rum on 12 May. Please include the information on travel arrangements, including the cost of boat hire.

Response

We enclose copies of most of the information you requested.

The cost of the boat hire was quoted as £1,200 for Lorna Slater to go to and from the Isle of Rum. The cost information may be held in full by NatureScot who arranged the charter, you may wish to contact them at FOI@nature.scot to help you further.

Details of the travel arrangements are in the table below:

Thursday 11 May	Friday 12 May
Depart from Minister's residence 09.00	Depart Mallaig terminal 08.30
Arrive at Balloch 11.00	Arrive Rum 09.30
Depart from Balloch 13.30	Depart Rum 14.30
Arrive at Mallaig 16.30 (estimate)	Arrive Mallaig 15.45

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) - Personal Information - of FOISA applies to that information. This applies to some of the correspondence requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. named individuals, 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.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section 30(b) -Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs - of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to provide free and frank advice to Ministers and other officials before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice on governance matters relating to the Isle of Rum and its resources and the possible actions of third parties will substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future, particularly because these discussions relate to sensitive handling of Ministerial responsibilities and information provided by third parties which is not in the public domain.

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 a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice to Ministers and other officials, as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s position, until the Government as a whole can adopt a position that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, based on the best available advice, so that good decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section 33(1)(b) - Commercial interests and the economy of FOISA applies to that information. 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, premature disclosure of its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person (including, without prejudice to that generality, a Scottish public authority).

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section 29(1)(d) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the operation of a ministerial private office. 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 a private space within which to operate their private office, including for consideration of operational options and personal security.

Where these exemptions were applied partially to the information being released you will note redactions within the documents at the relevant sections deemed not for disclosure i.e. exempt information as outlined above.

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FOI - 202300356316 - information released - Annex

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46 page PDF

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3.6 MB