· FOI · partially withheld
Communications with Sarantium Solutions/Sir Stephen House services 2015/2016: FOI release
Information requested
In calendar years 2015 and 2016, all communications with Sarantium Solutions/Sir Stephen House on the company's services and opportunities for the firm and the Scottish Government to work together.
Response
Attached is a copy of most of the information requested.
As context, and with regard to the information that is enclosed, you may wish to note that set against the backdrop of recent attacks in Europe throughout 2015, the Scottish Government considered undertaking some work on its readiness. As such, the Scottish Government invited Sir Stephen House, as outgoing Chief Constable of Police Scotland, to submit a project proposal. However, as has been stated under previous FOIs on this subject, the need for these services did not arise, so a contract was not awarded and no payment was made.
Reasons for not providing information
An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. the names of people whose advice would have been sought as part of the proposal from Sir Stephen House/Sarantium Solutions Ltd, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act 1998. 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.
Detected exemption language
Reasons for not providing information An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. 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.