FOI/202500488837 · FOI · already published
Transport Scotland - Rosyth to Dunkirk ferry service documentation: FOI release
Information requested
All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings and analysis, about a Rosyth to Dunkirk ferry service, from the last month.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested, please find attached.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some the information you have requested because exemptions under sections 25 (1) otherwise accessible, 29 (1) (a) Formulation/ development of government policy, 30 (b) (i) substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice, of FOISA applies to that information.
An exemption under section 25 (1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This information is already in the public domain. This information is relating to Parliamentary Question S6O-05048, you can find a complete read out here: Official Report | Scottish Parliament Website.
An exemption under sections 29 (1) (a) and 30 (b) (i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This information is relating to First Minister and Cabinet Secretary questions and advice, release of this information would impede the formulation of government policy and inhibit's free and frank provison of advice.
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 some public interest in release because there is interest in a proposed new ferry service to Europe. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring officials are able to provide robust and detailed advice to Ministers.
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 some the information you have requested because exemptions under sections 25 (1) otherwise accessible, 29 (1) (a) Formulation/ development of government policy, 30 (b) (i) substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice, of FOISA applies to that information. An exemption under section 25 (1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. An exemption under sections 29 (1) (a) and 30 (b) (i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. 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.