Dear Sir

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON MSPS WHO HAVE ATTENDED “COMMON PURPOSE” TRAINING

Thank you for your request for information which we received on 31st August. Your request has been handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Your request was as follows:

“Please detail a full list of all MSP's and local councillors who have been funded to go on courses run by the group, "Common Purpose." As well as the names of those, prior to becoming MSP's, who are "graduates" of Common Purpose.

Any invoices/documents showing "course expenses" are welcome too.”

The Parliament does not fund training for MSPs or training to local councillors, so we hold no information on this.

MSPs can claim training for their staff as part of the Members' Expenses Scheme. The details of any training carried out by MSP staff and charged to the Parliament can be found on the Allowances Database on the Parliament's website:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/MSPAllowances/searchGuidance.htm

In terms of those MSPs who took part in a Common Purpose training course before they became MSPs, again, we do not hold any information on this, as the Parliament does not keep information on training courses that MSPs may have attended prior to their election.

It may be the case that MSPs who have been on “Common Purpose” training have referred to this in debates or Committee meetings in the Parliament. If this is the case this will be reported in the Parliament's Official Report. It is possible to search the Official Report via the Parliament's website here:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/sch/SiteSearch/AdvancedSearch.aspx

We would welcome feedback or comment on how we handled your request. Please feel free to contact the FOI Specialist at The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP or by e-mail at [Scottish Parliament request email]

Please find below Annex A, which explains how we handle FOI requests and reviews.

Yours sincerely

Steven Tallach

FOI Officer

Annex A

REQUESTS MADE UNDER

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

How we handle FOI requests

Information on how we handle FOI requests is available on the Parliament's website at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/corporate/foi/Makingrequest.htm

Alternatively, please contact the Parliament's Public Information Service to request a copy.

Review

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request for information, you can ask us to review our decision and actions. You must do this in writing (or other permanent form) within 40 working days of the date of this letter, stating the reasons for your dissatisfaction, and we will respond within 20 working days of receipt. A request for a review should be made to the FOI Specialist:

Post: FOI Specialist

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Telephone: 0131 348 6913 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome)

Textphone: 0131 348 3415

Fax: 0131 348 5378

E-mail: [Scottish Parliament request email]

Application to the Scottish Information Commissioner

If, on the outcome of any review, you are still dissatisfied, or if we are unable to resolve any other complaint, then you can contact the Scottish Information Commissioner:

Post: The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner

Kinburn Castle

Doubledykes Road

St Andrews

Fife

KY16 9DS

Telephone: 01334 464610

Fax: 01334 464611

Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info

E-mail: [email address]

A decision by the Scottish Information Commissioner may be appealed, on a point of law, to the Court of Session.

Copyright in relation to information provided

The supply of information under FOI does not constitute permission for its use in a way that would infringe copyright. Where relevant, you should obtain permission from the copyright holder before any such use.

Feedback or comment

We would welcome feedback or comment on how we handled your request. Please contact the FOI Specialist.

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we dealt with your enquiry, then you may wish to raise the matter with the FOI Specialist.

How to contact us

Post: The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Telephone: 0131 348 5000

0800 092 7500 (Public Enquiries)

0131 348 5395 (Ghàidhlig)

Textphone users can contact us on 0800 092 7100

We also welcome calls using the RNID Typetalk service.

Fax: 0131 348 5601

E-mail: [email address]

[Author ID1: at Mon Apr 6 14:38:00 2009 ]