First Minister's trip to Qatar: FOI release

Information requested

1. Were any costs incurred to the taxpayer by the First Minister's recent trip to Qatar and if so what were these costs?

2. Did the First Minister have any meetings as First Minister while he was on the trip?

3. What arrangements were in place during the First Minister's trip for him to stay in touch with Government business, including details of any Scottish Government equipment that left the country with him, what the arrangements for supporting the devices and any costs incurred.

4. Did any officials or staff members accompany the First Minister? What was their role, how much did their travel arrangements cost (including details of flights), what accommodation did they receive, how much was it and how was it paid for?

5. Did any organisation, group or government fund any element of the trip?

6. Was any hospitality offered or received from any governmental or non governmental source during the trip?

Response

1. Were any costs incurred to the taxpayer by the First Minister's recent trip to Qatar and if so what were these costs?

This was a personal trip. All personal expenses, including the airfare and hotel costs, were paid for by the First Minister.

An exemption under section 39(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The Scottish Government does not comment on the First Minister’s security matters. 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 travel. however, this is outweighed by the public interest in the safety of the First Minister.

2. Did the First Minister have any meetings as First Minister while he was on the trip?

The First Minister did not conduct any meetings during his personal trip.

3. What arrangements were in place during the First Minister's trip for him to stay in touch with Government business, including details of any Scottish Government equipment that left the country with him, what the arrangements for supporting the devices and any costs incurred.

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 how the First Minister conducts his business. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the safety of the First Minister. Therefore, in accordance with external advice, arrangements surrounding the First Minister conducting his business are not disclosed.

No costs were incurred.

4. Did any officials or staff members accompany the First Minister? What was their role, how much did their travel arrangements cost (including details of flights), what accommodation did they receive, how much was it and how was it paid for?

No Officials or staff members accompanied the First Minister.

5. Did any organisation, group or government fund any element of the trip?

No – the First Minister paid for his trip to Qatar.

6. Was any hospitality offered or received from any governmental or non governmental source during the trip?

No hospitality was offered or received. Logistical assistance was offered to the First Minister for his arrival at the airport in Qatar, however he politely declined this offer due to this trip being a personal holiday.

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