FOI/202500458592 · FOI · partially withheld
Cost approval for Barlinnie Prison: FOI release
Information requested
Details of any value-for-money test undertaken prior to ministers approving the contract for the new Barlinnie prison.
Response
You will find a summarised response to your request in Annexe A, which is attached. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the full information you have requested because an exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA – substantial prejudice to commercial interests - applies to that information. This is because the construction contract for HMP Glasgow is a live contract and disclosing this information is likely to prejudice the commercial relationship between the Scottish Prison Service and the contractor. 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, we consider there is a greater public interest in avoiding substantial prejudice to commercial interests in this case.
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.
Detected exemption language
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the full information you have requested because an exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA – substantial prejudice to commercial interests - 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.