Work carried out relating to an independence referendum: FOI release
- Published
- 17 July 2017
- Directorate
- Constitution Directorate
- Part of
- Constitution and democracy, Public sector
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
FOI reference: FOI/17/01474
Date received: 28 June 2017
Date responded: 12 July 2017
Information requested
I would like to submit an FOI to ask if any policy work was being carried out by Scottish Government civil servants on an independent Scotland or on work related to an independence referendum from:
- 1 October 2014 to 5 May 2016
- 5 May 2016 to 23 June 2016
- 24 June 2016 to 12 March 2017
- 13 March 2017 to 27 June 2017
- From 28 June 2017 onwards
I would also like to ask when the Scottish Government intends to publish the responses to its Consultation on a Draft Referendum Bill and whether the First Minister has looked at any of these responses.
Response
Over the period covered by your request, Scottish Government civil servants undertook a range of work relevant to the topics that you mention. Separate answers for each of the five date-ranges that you have specified are provided below.
No policy work was carried out on an independent Scotland or independence referendum during the period 1 October 2014 to 5 May 2016. However, administrative work relating to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, such as approving accounts for payments to local authorities, was completed.
No work was carried out on an independent Scotland or independence referendum during the period 5 May 2016 to 23 June 2016.
Yes, work was carried out during the period 24 June 2016 to 12 March 2017.
Yes, work was carried out during the period 13 march 2017 to 27 June 2017.
Yes, responses to the recent consultation on a draft referendum bill were published on 29 June 2017 along with an independent analysis (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/06/5860) and the Scottish Government's response (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/06/5373). Advice on the consultation and analysis of the responses was provided to Ministers, including the First Minister, prior to publication in the normal way.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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