SPCB(2008)Paper 60

By correspondence

PARLIAMENTARY TRAVEL

Issue

1. The Corporate Body is invited to note forthcoming parliamentary travel overseas and, in accordance with paragraph 2.7.2 of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament1, in relation to receipt by Members of travel, hospitality etc, to approve the details of the travel and other costs associated with it.

Resource implications

2. The attached table provides details of recent visits and, in bold, forthcoming visits of which the Corporate Body has not already been informed, as well as approximate costs to the Parliament of the related travel and accommodation. In some cases, some or all of the costs are met by the host. Advance Corporate Body approval in these cases means that such travel on parliamentary business is not regarded as a registrable interest under the terms of the Code of Conduct for Members of the . The costs shown also include those incurred by any accompanying parliamentary staff and the table details the number of staff accompanying each visit.

3. Information on particular visits of which the Corporate Body has not already been informed is set out below.

20th Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar - Contact: Margaret Neal, CPA ( Branch) Secretariat, Ext. 85323

4. The Executive Committee of the CPA (Scotland Branch) agreed that MSP should represent the branch at the 20th Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar which was held in Ottawa from 8-14 June 2008. The theme of the conference was strengthening parliamentary democracy

5. The estimated costs for this visit were £3,200 which covered all travel costs to and from Ottawa. Accommodation and any incidental associated expenses in relation to this visit were met from the CPA Canada Branch.

1 As required by Section 2.7 of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament in force from 3 May 2007.

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International Parliamentary Governance Seminar 9-12 June 2008 – Contact: Margaret Neal, CPA (Scotland Branch) Secretariat, Ext. 85323

6. The Executive Committee of CPA Scotland Branch agreed that Iain Smith MSP should represent the Branch at the CPA UK Branch (CPA UK) International Parliamentary Governance Seminar which was held at Westminster from Sunday 8 June, finishing on Friday 20 June 2008. Arrangements were made for Iain Smith MSP to attend this seminar from 9 to 12 June.

7. The purpose of the seminar was to: enable delegates to explore the challenges of governance at supranational, national, regional and local authority levels and learn more about how their country interacts with the European Union (EU). The delegates also visited Brussels and Belfast, the costs of which were met by the CPA UK Branch.

8. The estimated costs for this visit were £150 which covered all travel costs to and from London. Accommodation and incidental associated expenses for this trip were met by the CPA UK Branch

54th CPA Annual Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3-10 August 2008 - Contact: Margaret Neal, CPA (Scotland Branch) Secretariat, Ext. 85323

9. The Executive Committee of CPA Scotland Branch agreed that MSP and MSP should attend the 54th CPA Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur. The theme of the conference will be “Expanding the Role of Parliament in Global Society: Environment, Development and Security “

10. The estimated costs for this visit will be in the region of £7,300 which covers all travel costs to and from Kuala Lumpur and an additional 2 nights’ accommodation which is required due to travel arrangements. Accommodation for the duration of the conference and any incidental associated expenses will met by the host Branch as is usual in these circumstances.

Visit to Zambia 21 to 25 August 2008 – Contact: Margaret Neal CPA (Scotland Branch) Secretariat Ext 85323

11. The Executive Committee of CPA Scotland Branch agreed that Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP should visit the Parliament of Zambia to undertake a scoping exercise to explore the possibility of establishing sustainable links at parliamentary level. During the visit Mr McConnell will also visit international development projects supported by Scottish Civil Society Organisations.

2 12. The estimated costs for this visit will be in the region of £2,000 which includes 1 economy airfare, maximum of 4 nights’ accommodation and transport during his stay in Zambia.

Publication Scheme

13. This paper will be published as part of the Parliament’s Publication Scheme.

Decision

14. The Corporate Body is invited :

14.1 to note the attached table detailing visits on behalf of the Parliament; and

14.2 in accordance with paragraph 2.7.2 of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament, in relation to receipt by Members of travel, hospitality etc, to approve the details of the travel and other costs associated with the visits as set out in paragraphs 9 to 12 above.

External Liaison Unit 9 July 2008

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APPROX. COSTS TO DAY & DATE DESCRIPTION TIME DESTINATION PARTICIPANTS SPCB

Karen Gillon MSP, Sarah Boyack Fri 08.02.08 to CPA (Scotland Branch) visit to Malawi 10 days Malawi MSP, Alasdair Morgan MSP + 1 £12,000 Mon 18.02.08 staff

The Presiding Officer, Iain Smith Saturday Parliamentary delegation to Scotland Week USA and MSP, David McLetchie MSP, Alex 29.03.08 to Sun 9 days £30,000 2008 Canada Neil MSP, Frank McAveety MSP, + 06.04.08 3 staff

Sunday Alasdair Morgan MSP, Wexford, 27.04.08 to BIIPB 36th Plenary meeting 3 days MSP, Brian Adam MSP, Iain Smith £1,400 Ireland Tues 29.04.08 MSP + 1 staff

Sunday Ian McKee MSP, Dave Stewart CPA British Irish Mediterranean Region 11.05.08 to 5 days Gibraltar MSP, Margaret Mitchell MSP, Hugh £1,600 (BIMR) Conference Thurs 15.05.08 O'Donnell MSP + 1 staff

Sunday 20th Commonwealth Parliamentary Ottawa, 07.06.08 to Sat 7 days Bill Butler MSP £3,200 Seminar Canada 14.06.08

International Parliamentary Governance London, Mon 09.06.08 Seminar (3 days of the conference based 4 days Belfast & Iain Smith MSP £150 to Thu 12.06.08 in the UK, 1 day based in Belgium) Brussels

4 APPROX. COSTS TO DAY & DATE DESCRIPTION TIME DESTINATION PARTICIPANTS SPCB

Sunday Kuala Lumpur, Tricia Marwick MSP and David 54th CPA Annual Conference 7 days £7,300 03.08.08 to Sun Malaysia Whitton MSP 10.08.08

Thu 21.08.08 to Lusaka, Visit to the Parliament of Zambia 4 days Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP £2,000 Mon 25.08.08 Zambia

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