5 March 2020
RECORDS MANAGEMENT SECTION
The University of Edinburgh
File ref: T3/39/201
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh EH8 9YL
Jenna Corderoy
Direct Dial 0131 651 4099
Sent by email: request-619117-
Switchboard 0131 650 1000
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Email xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xx.xx.xx
Dear Ms Corderoy
Your information request
Thank you for your email of 12 November 2019 requesting information relating to the
government or embassy of China. I apologise for the lateness of this response.
The University of Edinburgh is a global university, rooted in Scotland. We are globally
recognised for our research, development and innovation and we have provided world-
class teaching to our students for more than 425 years. We are the largest university in
Scotland and in 2018/19 our annual revenue was £1.1 billion, of which £286 million was
research income. We have over 43,000 students and almost 16,000 staff. We are a
founding member of the UK’s Russell Group of leading research universities and a
member of the League of European Research Universities.
You asked for external and internal correspondence and communications received by the
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University which mentions or refers to the Chinese
government or embassy for the period 1 January 2019 to 12 November 2019.
Please find enclosed the information that you requested. You will see that I have
provided extracts in some cases: in these instances the other information in the
documents was not related to your request.
Withheld information
I have withheld an attendee list for a
conference dinner which mentions the Chinese
embassy because the names of guests are their personal data. This would breach the
data protection principles set out in data protection legislation. The Freedom of
Information (Scotland) Act 2002 does not require us to provide this sort of information as
it is exempt under section 38(1)(b). The conference programme is included in the
enclosed information.
I have withheld two project proposals sent to the University which mention the Chinese
government. I have also withheld an internal email chain primarily about development of
a commercial relationship, which mentions the Chinese government. Information
UNIVERSITY SECRETARY Ms Sarah Smith
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336
provided to the University while a project is being proposed or negotiated is provided with
the expectation of confidentiality, and disclosure of discussions about the potential
relationship would breach confidentiality commitments. Disclosure of this information
would therefore be an actionable breach of confidence. The Freedom of Information
(Scotland) Act 2002 does not require us to provide this sort of information as it is exempt
under section 36(2).
I have withheld an internal email chain relating to formulation of potential press
communications, and an internal email chain primarily about development of a
philanthropic relationship, which mention the Chinese government.
The Freedom of
Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) does not require us to provide this information
as it is protected under the following exemptions:
1. Disclosure would be likely to prejudice substantially the free and frank provision of
advice, section 30(b)(i)
2. Disclosure would be likely to prejudice substantially the free and frank exchange of
views for the purposes of deliberation, section 30(b)(ii)
3. Disclosure would be likely to prejudice substantially the effective conduct of the
University’s legitimate business, section 30(c)
These exemptions are subject to the public interest test. There is clear public interest in
the transparent operation of public authorities. However, there is also a strong public
interest in in allowing University staff members to share opinions and views with candour
when considering potential relationships and in allowing the University a private space to
discuss the public presentation of significant issues. Disclosure of this information would
substantially inhibit such free and frank exchanges of views for the purposes of
deliberation and would have a chilling effect on staff members’ ability to raise or freely
discuss concerns. This would limit future discussion or debate, adversely impacting the
quality of the University's decision-making. Disclosing the details of the University’s
ongoing discussions or potential relationships before any relevant agreements have been
signed would also be likely to substantially damage the effective conduct of the
University’s legitimate business. This is because disclosing details whilst active
discussions are ongoing could damage these negotiations. There is a strong public
interest in allowing the University to operate its business in a way to maximise the
chances for success, in this case that means allowing us space to conduct discussions in
private.
Therefore, in this case, the University considers that the public interest in withholding this
information outweighs the public interest in releasing it.
Right to review
If you are dissatisfied with this response, you may ask the University to conduct a review
of this decision by contacting the University's Records Management Section in writing
(e.g. by letter or email) or in some other recorded form (e.g. audio or video tape). You
should describe the original request, explain your grounds for dissatisfaction, and include
an address for correspondence. You have 40 working days from receipt of this letter to
submit a review request. The contact details for the Records Management Section are at
the top of this letter. When the review process has been completed, if you are still
dissatisfied, you may use th
e Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance on making
an appeal to make an appeal to the Commissioner. If you do not have access to the
Internet, please let me know and I will provide a copy of the relevant web pages.
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Privacy notice for information request applicants
The University of Edinburgh's request privacy notice, which describes how we use the
information you have supplied about yourself and your request, is published on the
University website.
Yours sincerely
Eleanor Rideout
Information Compliance Manager
Enclosure: Correspondence and communications received by the Principal and Vice-
Chancellor of the University which mentions or refers to the Chinese government or
embassy, 1 January 2019 to 12 November 2019
If you require this letter in an alternative format, such as large print or
a coloured background, please contact the Records Management
Section on 0131 651 4099 or email xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xx.xx.xx
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Document Outline