Renewing Democracy through Independence: FOI release

Information requested

1) The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government published today.

2) The number of printed copies of this paper handed out at the launch event on 14 July 2022 and all costs to the Scottish Government associated with this launch event.

Response

Part 1
The work on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper drew on some officials from the Constitutional Futures Division and also drew on other officials across a range of portfolios who contributed to varying extents as part of their wider responsibilities in supporting the Scottish Government.

I am unable to provide you with a figure for the total number of staff who contributed to the second paper in the prospectus series because in line with usual practice, details of individual tasks carried out by civil servants, including the number of hours spent on them, are not routinely recorded because there is no business need to do this. This is a formal notice under Section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

Part 2
In response to the second part of your request, 35 copies of the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper were distributed to journalists and media attendees present at the launch at Bute House on 14 July 2022.

Regarding the costs associated with the launch event for the ‘Renewing Democracy through Independence’ paper, costs were incurred for the use of audio visual equipment for the launch event. The total cost for this service was £1,341.

As at 14 July, we had not received details of final costs incurred for the use of a British Sign Language interpreter. This is a formal notice under Section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

No other costs were incurred for the launch event for the ‘Renewing Democracy through Independence’ paper at Bute House on 14 July 2022.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.