Justice Secretary's attendance at league cup final information: FOI release

Information requested

Information regarding the current Justice Secretary, Angela Constance and her companion who both attended the recent League cup final.

1. In which official capacity did both guests attend the event ?

2. Who was the companion of the Justice Secretary ?

3 Which sponsor provided the tickets ?

4 How many football matches has the Justice Secretary attended this season on official business and who provided these tickets ?

5 How many football matches has the Justice Secretary attended this season which have been personally funded ?

6 What was the recorded total mileage for the official car used for the League cup final ?

7 Please provide a copy of the travel request submitted for the official travel request ?

8 Please provide a copy of the report submitted by the driver at the end of his duties ?

9 What is the total estimated cost of transportation provided for this event ?

10 Is the Justice Minister allowed to claim taxi fares for official business?

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in the format you asked for.

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for and I have described the reason under each point. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

An exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The information relates to the personal information of people who we deem below the grade of a senior civil servant.

1. In which official capacity did both guests attend the event?

Response: Ms Constance was invited, and attended, as Cabinet Secretary for Justice. She was invited by the SPFL to bring a guest who attended in that capacity.

2. Who was the companion of the Justice Secretary?

Response: The name of Ms Constance's guest is withheld under Section 38(1)(b) of FOISA. A Scottish Government Official also attended the match, again the name is withheld under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA.

3. Which sponsor provided the tickets?

Response: Tickets were not provided by any sponsor. The Cabinet Secretary was invited by the competition organiser, the SPFL.

4. How many football matches has the Justice Secretary attended this season on official business and who provided these tickets?

Response: This is the only match which the Justice Cabinet Secretary attended this season. As set out above, the tickets were provided by the SPFL.

5. How many football matches has the Justice Secretary attended this season which have been personally funded?

Response: This is the only match which the Justice Cabinet Secretary has attended in an official capacity. If Ms Constance has attended a football match in a personal capacity, the Scottish Government does not hold that information – this is a formal notice of that under section 17 of FOISA.

6. What was the recorded total mileage for the official car used for the League cup final?

Response: The Scottish Government does not hold that information - this is a formal notice of that under section 17 of FOISA.

7. Please provide a copy of the travel request submitted for the official travel request?

Response: No records held - this is a formal notice of that under section 17 of FOISA.

8. Please provide a copy of the report submitted by the driver at the end of his duties?

Response: Government Car Service Drivers do not submit post journey reports - this is a formal notice of that under 17 of FOISA.

9. What is the total estimated cost of transportation provided for this event?

Response: The Scottish Government Car Service do not hold costs for these journeys, actual or estimated - this is a formal notice of that under section 17 of FOISA.

10. Is the Justice Minister allowed to claim taxi fares for official business?

Response: The Scottish Ministerial Code states that “When Ministers travel on official business, the cost should normally be met from public funds.”. The Code also requires that Ministers consider efficient use of resources, and cost effectiveness.

About FOI

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