Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the African Lakes Company: FOI release

Information requested

"Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the African Lakes Company between January 2018 and October 2024; and the total amount public money granted to the African Lakes Company since it’s revival broken down by year".

Response

In relation to your first question (‘correspondence between the Scottish Government and the African Lakes Company between January 2018 and October 2024’), I enclose a copy of some 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 exemptions under sections:

• 29(1)(a) - Formulation/development of government policy
• 30(b)(i) - Substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice
• 30(b)(ii) - Substantial inhibition to free and frank exchange of views
• 30(c) - Substantial prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
• 32(1)(a) - Substantial prejudice to international relations
• 33(1)(b) - Substantial prejudice to commercial interests
• 38(1)(b) - Third party personal data

of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below.

Exemptions under sections s.29 of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.
This is because the information relates to draft policy documents. 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 of interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in officials being able to have space to draft documents in order to carry out their duties in advancing policy priorities, and release of this information would inhibit this process.

Exemptions under sections s.30 of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.
This is because the information includes the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of the provision of advice and deliberation, as well as the conduct of public affairs. These exemptions are 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 of interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in officials being able to have space to prepare advice for ministers and deliberate prior to policy decisions being made, and release of this information would inhibit this process.

Exemptions under sections s.32 of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.
This is because the information relates to sensitive conversations in relation to international relations. 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 of interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the Scottish Government being able to build and maintain relationships with other country governments, and release of this information would inhibit this process.

Exemptions under sections s.33 of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.
This is because the information relates to commercially sensitive information in relation to the African Lakes Company. 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 of interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in preventing the substantial prejudice against the commercial interests of the African Lakes Company.

Exemptions under sections s.38 of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.
This is because the information relates to personal information of third parties. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

Part 2
The answer to your second question (‘the total amount public money granted to the African Lakes Company since it’s revival broken down by year’) is detailed in the attached table.

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.

FOI 202400435885 - Information Released - Annex

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