COP 28 Scottish delegation: FOI release

Information requested

1. Which MSPs and MPs attended any events in Dubai during COP 28?
2. How many Scottish Government civil servants were part of the group that were present in Dubai during the visit by the First Minister?
3. What was the total cost for flights to and transport in Dubai?
4. What was the total cost of accommodation for the MPs and MSPs in Dubai?
5. What was the name of the MPs and MSPs accommodation?
6. What was the total cost for the civil servants’ accommodation in Dubai?
7. What was the name of the civil servants’ accommodation in Dubai?
8. Were there any overnight stops by MSPs or MPs going to or returning from Dubai?
9. What are the names and positions of the Special Political Advisors who made the trip to Dubai ?
10. What was the total cost of the Scottish Government’s attendance in Dubai during COP 28?

Response

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

I have taken each of your questions in turn and where held, I have provided the information you have asked for. Questions in which Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies to, are those that will be answered within the proactive release on COP28, which the Scottish Government aims to publish next year.

1. Which MSPs and MPs attended any events in Dubai during COP 28? In terms of Scottish Ministers, Humza Yousaf, First Minister and Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition were the Ministers who attended COP28.

2. How many Scottish Government civil servants were part of the group that were present in Dubai during the visit by the First Minister? Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies.

3. What was the total cost for flights to and transport in Dubai? Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies.

4. What was the total cost of accommodation for the MPs and MSPs in Dubai? Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies.

5. What was the name of the MPs and MSPs accommodation? Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies.

6. What was the total cost for the civil servants’ accommodation in Dubai? Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies.

7. What was the name of the civil servants’ accommodation in Dubai? Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies.

8. Were there any overnight stops by MSPs or MPs going to or returning from Dubai? Scottish Ministers did not have any overnight stops.

9. What are the names and positions of the Special Political Advisors who made the trip to Dubai? Colin McAlister – Special Advisor to the First Minister, Emily Mackintosh – Special Advisor to the First Minister, and Leanne Dobson – Special Advisor.

10. What was the total cost of the Scottish Government’s attendance in Dubai during COP 28? Section 27(1) of FOI(S)A applies.

Section 27(1) – information intended for future publication

An exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to the rest of the information requested because we aim to publish that information within 12 weeks of the date of your request. We consider that it is reasonable to withhold the information until then, rather than release this information before the planned publication date.

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 due to public interest in COP28 and this will be met by our planned publication. In the meantime, there is a greater public interest in taking the time necessary to ensure the information has been properly collated and checked before it is published as planned. Also, we see no public interest in disrupting our programme of work to release the information ahead of the intended publication date.

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.