Correspondence relating to Project Chestnut: FOI release

Information requested

1. The NDA signed by the Scottish Government in relation to Project Chestnut.
2. Any correspondence, including attachments or ministerial briefings, about the NDA.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies is explained in the Annex to this letter.

In relation to the first point of your request, the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) signed by the Scottish Government in relation to Project Chestnut has been included as supporting documentation to this request.

At the initial stages of the project and in order to allow for appropriate, confidential discussions to take place between the various companies a non-disclosure agreement was intended for signature by all parties before the contract between Scottish Ministers and Woodbank Marine was finalised. This enabled conversations about the work programme of the Scottish Government project to take place between, Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow, Teneo and Woodbank Marine. This was signed by all parties between 28th and 29th Sept.

The contract enabling the procurement of the services of Woodbank Marine as an independent shipbuilding advisor to the project were duly completed on 29th September 2022, therefore the provisions of the NDA were superseded by the contract.

In relation to the second point of your request, I have included email exchanges between the relevant parties during the signing phase and ahead of full contract completion. There were no briefings issued to Ministers regarding the NDA.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202300368636 - Information Released - Annex

File type

21 page PDF

File size

813.2 kB