Meetings between lobbyists and ministers: FOI release

Information requested

Scottish Government to provide all preparatory documents as well as minutes or any other record of what was discussed of the following meetings:

• 03/10/2022 between Nicola Sturgeon and Blackrock
• 09/12/2021 between Drax Group plc and Michael Matheson
• 16/12/2021 between EDF Energy Holdings Limited and Michael Matheson
• 04/11/2021 between Hutcheson Associates Ltd and Richard Lochhead
• 09/05/2022 between Hutcheson Associates Ltd and Ivan McKee
• 24/03/2022 between Liberty One Communications Ltd and Patrick Harvie
• 06/09/2022 between Scottish Association of Landlords and Patrick Harvie and Gavin Corbett
• 01/08/2022 between Scottish Association of Landlords and Shona Robison and Patrick Harvie
• 03/12/2021 between Shell U.K. Limited and Michael Matheson

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

03/10/2022 between Nicola Sturgeon and Blackrock

All of the information you have requested is available from First Minister meetings with BlackRock and RBS: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). 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.

09/12/2021 between Drax Group plc and Michael Matheson (see attached)

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. Our search found the preparatory documents but no record of any discussion during the site visit.

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 exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) (the personal data of a third party) of FOISA applies to that information.

16/12/2021 between EDF Energy Holdings Limited and Michael Matheson

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

04/11/2021 between Hutcheson Associates Ltd and Richard Lochhead

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

09/05/2022 between Hutcheson Associates Ltd and Ivan McKee

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

24/03/2022 between Liberty One Communications Ltd and Patrick Harvie

All of the information you have requested is available from Information regarding meetings with Liberty One Communications LTD: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). 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.

06/09/2022 between Scottish Association of Landlords and Patrick Harvie and Gavin Corbett (see attached)

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 exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) (the personal data of a third party) of FOISA applies to that information.

01/08/2022 between Scottish Association of Landlords and Shona Robison and Patrick Harvie (see attached)

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 exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) (the personal data of a third party) of FOISA applies to that information.

03/12/2021 between Shell U.K. Limited and Michael Matheson (see attached)

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 exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) (the personal data of a third party) and section 33(1)(b) (substantial prejudice to commercial interests) of FOISA applies to that information.

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. “Person” includes a public authority, company and partnership.

The public interest test requires us to consider whether or not, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in disclosing the information is outweighed by that in maintaining the exemption/exception. In this case it is believed that commercial interests are likely to be prejudiced substantially by releasing some of the information.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI - 202300344500 - information released

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36 page PDF

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615.3 kB