Chief Minister trip/trips off Isle of Man

Summary

A request for details on Chief Minister Howard Quayle's official trips in September 2021 was partially fulfilled, with the Cabinet Office disclosing itineraries, purposes, and expenses for three trips while noting that some data for the first trip was held by the Department for Enterprise.

Key Facts

• Three official trips were made by the Chief Minister in September 2021 to London, Cardiff, and for political engagements.
• The first trip was arranged by the Department for Enterprise, limiting the Cabinet Office's held information.
• The second trip involved giving evidence to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee regarding constitutional relationships.
• The third trip consisted of meetings with UK political figures before the end of the Chief Minister's tenure.
• Total expenses disclosed by the Cabinet Office across the three trips included travel, accommodation, and other costs.

Data Disclosed

• 31 August 2021 – 2 September 2021
• 5 September 2021 – 7 September 2021
• 14 September 2021 – 16 September 2021
• £46.00
• £144.40
• £95.00
• £345.23
• £631.30
• £32.63
• £623.39
• £1,127.70
• £1,527.94
• 1997605

Original Request

Please confirm the itinerary of official trips made by Chief Minister Howard Quayle off the Isle of Man during September 2021. How many people were in the Isle of Man Government contingent on the trip/trips? Please provide a breakdown by trip of how much money was spent by the Isle of Man Government on travel, accommodation and other expenses. Please explain what the purpose of the trip/trips was.

Data Tables (5)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1997605 7 October 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 17 September 2021 and which states:

"Please confirm the itinerary of official trips made by Chief Minister Howard Quayle off the Isle of Man during September 2021. How many people were in the Isle of Man Government contingent on the trip/trips? Please provide a breakdown by trip of how much money was spent by the Isle of Man Government on travel, accommodation and other expenses. Please explain what the purpose of the trip/trips was." I have enclosed the information that is held. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold some of the information that you have requested. Trip 1: 31 August 2021 – 2 September 2021 The Chief Minister’s first trip in September 2021 was arranged by the Department for Enterprise rather than the Cabinet Office, therefore the information held by the Cabinet Office is limited. The information held by the Cabinet Office has been provided. You may wish to make a freedom of information request to the Department for Enterprise: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom- of-information-request/ Purpose of the trip: Isle of Man Government officials, including the Chief Minister and representatives from the Department for Enterprise’s Finance Isle of Man team attended an event organised by the Private Client Dining Club in London on Wednesday 1 September 2021. Aimed at promoting business development between professionals advising High Net Worth clients and businesses, the event provided a networking opportunity for guests to learn more about the Isle of Man’s financial ecosystem, proximity and business support.

Number of people on the trip supporting the Chief Minister: one official from the Cabinet Office and five from the Department for Enterprise attended the event along with Peter Greenhill MLC. Breakdown of funds spent by the Cabinet Office on travel, accommodation and other expenses, held at the time of the request: Travel Accommodation Other expenses £46.00 £144.40 £95.00 Trip 2: 5 September 2021 – 7 September 2021 Purpose of the trip: The Chief Minister and representatives from Jersey and Guernsey were invited to give evidence to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee relating to the UK’s constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies. Whilst in the UK, the Chief Minister also took the opportunity to travel to Cardiff to meet Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales. Number of people on the trip: Three (Chief Minister and two Cabinet Office officials). Breakdown of funds spent by the Cabinet Office on travel, accommodation and other expenses, held at the time of the request: Travel Accommodation Other expenses £345.23 £631.30 £32.63 Trip 3: 14 September 2021 – 16 September 2021 Purpose of the trip: The trip consisted of official engagement activities to engage with key political contacts before the end of the Chief Minister’s tenure. Number of people on the trip: Three (Chief Minister and two Cabinet Office officials). Engagement activities: Date Engagement Notes 14 September 2021 Meeting with Lord (Michael) Dobbs, Member of the House of Lords 15 September 2021 Meeting with Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons 15 September 2021 Meeting with Lord (David) Wolfson of Tredegar QC Meeting cancelled 13 September 2021 15 Meeting with Mr Steve Baker MP,

September 2021 Conservative MP for Wycombe 15 September 2021 Meeting and interview at the Times 15 September 2021 Meeting with DUP MPs and Peers 15 September 2021 Reception with Isle of Man All Party Parliamentary Group 16 September 2021 Meeting with Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster* Meeting cancelled 16 September 2021 16 September 2021 Meeting with Mr David Morris MP, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale 16 September 2021 Meeting with Sir Graham Brady MP, Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West * The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP was appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 15 September 2021. Breakdown of funds spent by the Cabinet Office on travel, accommodation and other expenses, held at the time of the request: Travel Accommodation Other expenses £623.39 £1,127.70 £1,527.94

Please quote the reference number 1997605 in any future communications.

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Yours sincerely