First Minister and Bute House spending on flags: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/03493  
Date received: 21 November 2018 
Date responded: 10 December 2018

 

You asked for:

 

I. How much has the office of the First Minister spent on flags since Nicola Sturgeon was appointed to that position.

 

II. How much has Bute House spent on flags since Nicola Sturgeon was appointed to that position.

 

III. Does the First Minister or her office have a personal saltire flag which she uses for press conferences.

 

IV. If the answer to (iii) then how much did it cost to produce this flag.

 

V. Does the First Minister, or her office, possess a gold-trimmed St. Andrew's Cross.

 

VI. If the answer to (v) is yes, then why is this flag used instead of the conventional Scottish Government St. Andrew's Cross.

 

 

The answer to your questions are as follows:

 

I. and II. - The Office of the First Minster is responsible for purchasing flags for use at appropriate events and meetings hosted by the First Minister. This includes meetings at Bute House, such as when a dignitary is visiting from another country. Over the last four years, since the First Minister was sworn in, a total of £4,293.17 has been spent on flags. This consisted of 11 Saltire flags and 26 flags from other countries.

 

III. and IV. There is no personal Saltire flag used for press conferences.

 

V. and VI. The Office of the First Minister does not possess a gold-trimmed Saltire flag.

 

 

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