If the information is requested for arbitration it can be ordered to disclose. Can be. If it involves national security, it won't be.
As highlighted above the NE aren't the only place in the UK the government favours less than London. Can I be cheeky and ask how tall you are?
They are worried about being sued for breach of confidence if they release the documents. So clearly they do care. That says that there were meetings with the PL and the discussions in those meetings are potentially incriminating to the PL, hence potential breach of confidence.