First Minister’s travel costs to Washington with delegates from the Scotch Whisky Association: FOI release

Information requested

1. The First Minister’s total travel costs relating to his recent travel to Washington with a delegation from the Scotch Whisky Association.

2. The First Minister’s total accommodation costs relating to his recent travel to Washington with a delegation from the Scotch Whisky Association.

3. Any travel and accommodation costs associated with Scottish Government staff accompanying the First Minister on this trip.

4. Any further costs associated with this trip.

Response

I have interpreted your request as a breakdown of costs for the First Minister’s delegation to Washington between 7-9 September.

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

Please be aware that the above 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 (www.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 (health of safety) 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.

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FOI 202500483907 - Information Released - Annex A

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