Chamber and committees

Guidance for officials responding to parliamentary questions (PQs) and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests encourages alignment between the standard applied for both. In some instances, there may be examples where information is not available for release in response to a PQ but may subsequently be released in response to a later FOI request when that information has since become available. This may also result from the differences between the regimes, including differences in legal framework and expectations in timescale for responses.

All requests made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) and Parliamentary Questions are responded to on the basis of information available at the time of response.

The Scottish Government was still in the process of compiling and quality assuring the costs at the time of issuing the response. We routinely publish total costs approximately three months in arrears to allow all costs and expenses to be submitted, ensuring that the figures released into the public domain are accurate and complete.

The total cost of accommodation published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202500498535/

This is broken down into the following rate per night:

Sao Paolo (booked for one night total) - £186.03 per night

Belém (booked for nine nights total) – £692.53 per night

A minimum stay of ten nights was required for all accommodation options security vetted by the UK Government and provided to Scottish Government for COP30. However, the Scottish Government was able to negotiate a nine night contract. A minimum-night stay is standard practice during COPs where demand for accommodation is exceptionally high, to manage logistical issues.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43288 on 6 February 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

In cases where an FOI or PQ relates to one that was previously answered, officials will review the information provided in response to ensure considerations around consistency are considered.

The Scottish Government strives to be as helpful as possible in its responses to both parliamentary questions and to requests made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). These are important and distinct routes by which Members – and in the case of FOISA, any person – may seek information from the Scottish Government.

I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-43292 on 6 February 2026 which explains why a different approach was taken in the specific case he raised.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The relevant Cabinet Secretary or Minister is responsible for the answer to any parliamentary question. The Lord Advocate or the Solicitor General for Scotland may also answer a written question concerning the operation of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths in Scotland.

In relation to information provided by Freedom of Information requests, please see my response to S6W-43293 on 6 February 2026.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The UK Government recommends a limited number of accommodation providers for devolved government’s attending COPs, in line with security considerations. The UK Government provided hotel and apartment options to Scottish Government, with all options requiring a ten-night minimum stay.

When exploring the restricted list of security-approved options, officials considered factors around value for money including proximity to the venue and suitability for officials and Ministers sharing accommodation. These options varied between approximately £17,000 to £26,201.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43286 on February 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The Scottish Government has no arrangements in place to verify personal use of frequent flyer or other travel loyalty scheme benefits that may arise from Ministerial air travel.

The Scottish Ministerial Code stipulates that Ministers must avoid arrangements that create undue obligation or personal benefit.

CTM North Ltd. does not hold any data on any travel loyalty scheme accounts, including frequent flyer memberships, used in connection with Ministerial air travel.

The current Crown Commercial Services Framework for Travel and Venue Solutions stipulates that the supplier shall not facilitate the collection of a traveller's loyalty card points that may be awarded by any third party provider.