Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear weapons and NATO membership: FOI release

Information requested

On March 4, 2024, the Scottish Government released its 11th independence prospectus relating to Scotland’s place on the world. In it, it was claimed the SG did not think opposition to nuclear weapons or the removal of Trident would be an impediment to NATO membership

I wish to obtain all details of discussions with NATO officials that allowed the government to reach that conclusion.

I also wish to know details of any analysis on what might happen if NATO membership is not forthcoming.

Also, any discussions relating to Scotland signing the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear weapons.”

Response

Part 1: “I wish to obtain all details of discussions with NATO officials that allowed the government to reach that conclusion”.

No discussions have taken place with NATO officials. This is a formal notice under S.17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Part 2: “I also wish to know details of any analysis on what might happen if NATO membership is not forthcoming”.

No analysis has been undertaken on what might happen if NATO membership is not forthcoming. This is a formal notice under S.17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Part 3: “Also, any discussions relating to Scotland signing the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear weapons”.

Some of the information you have requested is included at Annex A. Exemptions under Sections 29(1)(a), 30(b)(ii), 30(c) and 38(1)(b) of FOISA apply to some of the information requested. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex B.

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 202400402603 - Information Released - Annex A and Annex B

File type

6 page PDF

File size

201.4 kB