Details of Minister's off-Island trip

Summary

The request sought details regarding Minister Kate Lord-Brennan's off-Island trip, including duration, meetings, and costs. The authority disclosed the trip dates and meeting details but withheld cost information under a qualified exemption, noting it would be published online within 60 days.

Key Facts

• The trip took place from 20 March 2022 to 22 March 2022.
• The Minister attended the Annual General Meeting of the UK – Isle of Man All Party Parliamentary Group.
• Additional meetings were held with political and diplomatic contacts in the UK.
• Cost details for travel, accommodation, and expenses were withheld from immediate disclosure.
• Full cost information is scheduled for publication on the gov.im website within 60 days of the trip.

Data Disclosed

• 20 March 2022
• 22 March 2022
• 30 March 2022
• 13 April 2022
• 60 days
• 15 November 2021
• section 41

Exemptions Cited

• Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act (Information intended for future publication)

Original Request

Following Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan MHK's off-Island trip earlier this month, can you confirm the following: 1. What was the duration of the minister's trip? 2. With whom did she meet? 3. What was the cost of a. travel, b. accommodation, c. other expenses?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

Our ref: 2359457 13 April 2022

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on 30 March 2022 and which states:

"Following Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan MHK's off-Island trip earlier this month, can you confirm the following: 1. What was the duration of the minister's trip? 2. With whom did she meet? 3. What was the cost of a. travel, b. accommodation, c. other expenses?"

Our response to your request is as follows: "Following Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan MHK's off-Island trip earlier this month, can you confirm the following: 1. What was the duration of the minister's trip? The duration of the Minister’s trip was from 20 March 2022 to 22 March 2022. 2. With whom did she meet? The Minister attended the Annual General Meeting of the United Kingdom – Isle of Man All Party Parliamentary Group. The purpose of the Group is to foster good relations and co-operation between the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom. These meetings provide an opportunity for the Isle of Man Government to build relationships with UK Parliamentarians and provides a forum for the Government to express its views on matters of importance to the Island. Whilst in the UK, the Minister also carried out a number of other meetings with political and diplomatic contacts. 3. What was the cost of a. travel, b. accommodation, c. other expenses?" While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 41 of the Act as it is held with a view to being published at a future date and in the circumstances it is reasonable that the information be withheld from disclosure until that time. By way of advice and assistance, information to part 3 of this request is not yet available online but will be within 60 days of the trip as per established process (as not all of the information is held yet). The relevant web address is: https://www.gov.im/about-the- government/departments/cabinet-office/chief-ministers-off-island-trips-and- expenses/#accordion.

As section 41 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure * The Cabinet Office recognises that there is a public interest in the cost and duration of off-Island trips taken by Ministers to ensure transparency and effective use of public funds, and that has been evidenced in the number of Freedom of Information requests received following the Covid-19 pandemic. * The Cabinet Office also recognises that there is an interest in the purpose of said trips so that there is a public understanding of how the Isle of Man is being represented externally.

Factors in favour of withholding * At the time of the request being received (30 March 2022), it had only been under two weeks since the Minister had taken the trip (20 March 2022 - 22 March 2022) so the Cabinet Office does not at this time hold the full costs for the trip. With off-Island trips, it is not until sometime afterwards when the full costs are held upon receipt of credit card statements, receipts, invoices and/or the processing of any refunds if applicable. * Following a number of Freedom of Information Requests regarding off-Island trips since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, since 15 November 2021 it has been established practice for the Cabinet Office to publish information relating to Ministerial off-Island trips taken on behalf of the Cabinet Office, on the gov.im website: https://www.gov.im/about-thegovernment/departments/cabinet-office/chief-ministers- off-island-trips-andexpenses/#accordion within 60 days of the end of the trip (i.e 60 days after 22 March 2022) to ensure all costs are captured. * In order to provide a full and complete picture of the relevant costs and given the fact that the information will soon be published on the gov.im website, it is appropriate for the Cabinet Office to apply the qualified exemption under section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act to part 3 of this request.

In taking these factors into account the Cabinet Office determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 2359457 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely