Question reference: S5W-01287
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 7 July 2016
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 August 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost was of the First Minister's visit to Brussels following the EU referendum result, including the costs for her team, and from what budget these costs will be met.
Answer
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon travelled to Brussels for a series of meetings with senior figures to set out Scotland's position following the result of the EU referendum, and to ensure Scotland's voice is heard in the negotiation process. During a full day of engagements, the First Minister met the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, as well as the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and the leaders of a number of political groups in the European Parliament. The First Minister also held a press conference for a group of international journalists. More details on the First Minister’s visit can be found on the Scottish Government website at: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Protecting-Scotland-s-EU-interests-25d1.aspx
The total costs of this engagement are still being processed and finalised and the costs of this engagement are being met by the Scottish Government’s administration budget. The Scottish Government proactively publishes the travel and subsistence costs for Ministers undertaking official international engagements on its website at:http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/travel/visitsoverseas/visitsoverseas
The Scottish Government also publishes the travel and subsistence costs of Strategic Board members, including Director Generals, at the following link:http://www.gov.scot/About/People/strategic-board/business-expenses