Details of the First Minister's meeting with the US Ambassador: FOI release

Information requested

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about John Swinney's meeting with the US Ambassador on November 1?

How much did the trip cost the Scottish Government, with a breakdown of these costs, i.e. how much did the rugby match cost?

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested to the first question in this request would exceed the upper cost limit of £600. This is because the volume of correspondence about the First Minister’s engagements with the US Ambassador during his visit on 1 November.

Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.

You may, however, wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order that the costs can be brought below £600. For example, by limiting the scope of the requestto briefing material and readouts only.

You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at:
http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.

I have interpreted the second question in your request as a breakdown of costs incurred by the Scottish Government for the US Ambassador’s visit.

The hospitality costs for hosting the US Ambassador at Bute House for his bilateral meeting with the First Minister were £18.55. The total costs for the gifts presented to the Ambassador were £77.

The First Minister was also invited to attend a US-Scotland business reception at the Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh by the US Ambassador. This event was hosted by the US Consulate. No costs were incurred by the Scottish Government.

The First Minister was invited to attend the Scotland v USA rugby international as a guest of the President of Scottish Rugby. The ticket was not available to purchase and does not have a market value that can be attributed to it. Therefore, the ticket came at no cost to the Scottish Government.

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.