FOI/202300385570 · FOI · partially withheld
Pentland Ferries vessel MV Alfred charter extension: FOI release
Information requested
Any and all correspondence regarding the six-month extension of the charter for Pentland Ferries vessel MV Alfred, which was announced by Transport Scotland on November 6, 2023.
Also any attachments to the above correspondence.
Response
I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.
An exemption(s) under section(s) 30(b)(i) Free & Frank discussion and 30(b)(i) Commercial in Confidence of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The release of commercial interests could prejudice the commercial interests of the parties involved in any future negotiations.
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 it allows for fair and open government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in providing a safe opportunity to discuss different options available in order to decide the most applicable.
About FOI
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Detected exemption language
An exemption(s) under section(s) 30(b)(i) Free & Frank discussion and 30(b)(i) Commercial in Confidence 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. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.