Tartan Week costs breakdown: FOI release

Information requested

"How much it cost for Mr Swinney and his colleagues to travel to New York for Tartan Week?

If you could please confirm how many people made the trip and provide a breakdown of accommodation, food/drink, flights/other transport, and miscellaneous costs, it would be much appreciated."

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in the attached Annex.

Please be aware that the attached table does not include information relating to the cost of travel for the First Minister and for the Special Adviser who accompanied him on this visit. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide this information because an exemption under section 27(1) Information intended for future publication of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption applies as details of ministerial engagements, travel and gifts and Special Advisers gifts and hospitality will be published within the next 12 weeks and will be available when published at the links below. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot and Special advisers: gifts and hospitality - gov.scot

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in Ministerial and Special Advisers travel. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in minimising the resource implications of the duplication of work.

Some of the costs incurred for this trip were in relation to security matters for the First Minister. The Scottish Government does not comment on the First Minister’s security matters. An exemption under section 39(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because disclosure would, or would be likely to, endanger the physical or mental health or safety of an individual.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test.’ Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in the arrangements for the First Minister’s security. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the safety of the First Minister.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because some of the information you have requested is the personal data of third parties.

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

About FOI

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

FOI 202500461301 - Information Released - Annex A

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