Funding for a modular wastewater treatment plant at Berambadi Primary School in India: FOI release

(1) The total cost to the Scottish Taxpayer of John Swinney’s recent trip to India, including a breakdown of travel costs, subsidence costs, John Swinney’s MSP's costs (salary, attendance allowances, personal expenses etc).

(2) The total amount of money promised to deliver a low-cost wastewater treatment system for rural schools in India.

The Deputy First Minister’s visit between 23 and 29 November aimed to strengthen links between Scotland and India. The visit focussed on technology and life sciences, promoted investment into Scotland and helped to develop education and cultural links. More information can be found on the Deputy First Minister’s visit in the following articles on the Scottish Government’s news site:

https://news.gov.scot/news/clean-water-for-indian-primary-school

https://news.gov.scot/news/helping-disabled-people-into-employment

https://news.gov.scot/news/strengthening-ties-with-india

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested. We do not have the information because the final costs of the Deputy First Minister’s visit to India are still being processed and finalised. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government proactively publishes information on Ministerial engagements overseas, including costs, and once the information on this visit has been finalised it will be published online at:  http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/travel/visitsoverseas. 

Request 2

Through the Hydro Nation International programme, the Scottish Government provided funding over the Financial Years 2016/17 to 2018/19 totalling £482,013.00 (£25,000.00/£258,323.00/£198,690.00)  to a consortium led by the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and including The University of Glasgow, The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) to design, plan, install and monitor a modular wastewater treatment plant at Berambadi Primary School in Karnataka State, India.