Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work & Energy’s delegation to Japan

Information requested

You asked for: 

How many people travelled as part of Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work & Energy’s delegation to Japan, including their job titles (civil servant, minister, special advisor etc). 

How much did it cost for Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work & Energy, and his delegation to travel to Japan, including a breakdown of how much it cost for each person, including travel, accommodation, and food. 

A list of the ministerial engagements for Neil Gray MSP during the trip to Japan.

Any briefings that were provided to Neil Gray MSP during the trip to Japan. 

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. 

The answer to your question relating to who travelled as well as accommodation and flight costs is: 

Name	Title	Flight Costs	Accommodation Costs
Neil Gray	Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work  and Energy	£6623.31	£400.52
REDACTED – withheld under section 38 (1) (b) – personal data relating to a third party	Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and  Energy	£6623.31	£400.52
Frances Pacitti	Deputy Director, Offshore Wind  Directorate	£5323.01	£410.20

Other costs including local transport and food are set out below. As these costs were paid for locally by in-country Scottish Development International staff, the costs are provided in the local currency (Japanese Yen). 

Date	Item	Cost in  JPY
25/04/2023	Hire car in Tokyo	\ 65,670
	Train	\ 57,570
26/04/2023	Taxi	\ 10,500
	Taxi	\ 760
	Dinner	\ 11,650
27/04/2023	Coffee	\ 7,000
	Hire car in Osaka	\ 71,600
	Lunch	\ 11,550
	Dinner	\ 7,530
	Interpreter	\ 94,500
28-Apr-23	Taxi	\ 10,500
	Train	\ 59,370
	Lunch	\ 7,250

In addition to this a further £24.71 was claimed by Scottish Government staff to cover additional food costs with a further £55.98 claimed for a taxi to the airport. 

You also requested information relating to the programme for the visit to Japan, along with briefing that Mr Gray received. In this case the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This element of the visit was handled by local in-country staff in Scottish Development International and this information is held by them. If you wish to engage with them directly on this matter to request this information from them, please contact Dr Stephen Baker, Scottish Development International. Dr Baker can be contacted at stephen.baker@scotent.co.uk . 

About FOI

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