· FOI · partially withheld
Public bidding of Scotland’s Railway Franchise and Scotrail staff satisfaction: FOI release
Information requested
No request text extracted.
Response
No response text extracted.
Detected exemption language
FOI reference: FOI/18/02669 Date received: 24 September 2018 Date responded: 23 October 2018 Information requested and response Q) Any recorded information relating to the development of options for a public bid for Scotland’s railway franchise While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide this information you have requested because of an exemption under Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA – free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers to have a private space within which to discuss issues and options with external stakeholders before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. 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.