UK AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS - FAQS
UK AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE
The UK and International Relations Office (UKIRO) supports the Scottish Parliament in the
development and implementation of its policy on international engagement and its links with
other Parliaments and overseas organisations. In doing so, our aim is to enhance the profile
and reputation of the Scottish Parliament; to exchange knowledge and ideas and to develop our
relationships with others. Inward visits are a very important part of the work of the UKIRO. In
order to facilitate inward visits effectively we have produced some guidance below, in the form
of frequently asked questions, which we hope will be helpful to you.
What types of visits are facilitated by the UKIRO? ....................................................................... 2
What types of visits are not facilitated by the UKIRO? ................................................................. 2
I would like to discuss a potential visit to the Scottish Parliament by a VIP/delegation - who
should I contact? .......................................................................................................................... 3
Are there any dates/days that I should avoid? ............................................................................. 3
What information do I need to provide? ....................................................................................... 3
Can I expect my visit request to be taken forward? ..................................................................... 3
When will I hear? ......................................................................................................................... 3
What length of programme can I expect? .................................................................................... 3
Once my visit is accepted, what are the next steps? ................................................................... 3
Version 15/01/2014
1
What types of visits are facilitated by the UKIRO?
1. The remit of the UKIRO is to develop parliamentary business focused programmes for
Speakers, parliamentarians, Ambassadors and High Commissioners from across the UK
and the world, within the context of the Scottish Parliament’s international strategy.
2. At official level we are also able to facilitate programmes for senior parliamentary and
Embassy officials wishing to familiarise themselves with the Scottish Parliament, to better
support their Parliament or Ambassador. Such visit programmes will generally take the form
of a private tour of the Scottish Parliament (provided by our Visitor Services Department),
and a brief meeting with an official from the UKIRO and other officials, as appropriate.
What types of visits are not facilitated by the UKIRO?
3. The UKIRO are not able to facilitate visit requests from civic society or local government
bodies. We are also not responsible for visits that involve a Government Minister/official.
Instead, such visitors are advised to make contact with the Scottish Government to discuss
a Scottish Government programme, which includes meetings with Ministers or officials as
appropriate. The contact for the Scottish Government is:
Robert Dunn
International Relations Adviser
International Strategy and Co-ordination Team
The Scottish Government
Email: robert.dunn@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0131 244 5217
4. In addition, the UKIRO cannot organise political meetings with party leaders. Visitors are
instead advised to make direct contact with the relevant offices. Contact details for all
Members of the Scottish Parliament can be found on our website at the following location:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/apps2/msp/msphome/default.aspx
5. The UKIRO can only consider visit requests received directly by an Embassy, High
Commission or Parliament. Requests received from third party bodies and/or consultancies
cannot be taken forward by the UKIRO.
6. The UKIRO will consider all requests for visits – whose delegations are made up of
Members of Parliament - received from UK Government Departments such as the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DfID)
as well as those international stakeholders named in the Scottish Parliament’s International
Strategy. A link to the Scottish Parliament’s International Strategy can be found on our
website at the following location:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/abouttheparliament/54076.aspx
7. As the role of the UKIRO is to support business focussed, parliamentary programmes which
best meet the needs of both visitors to, and Members of, the Scottish Parliament, we regret
that we are unable to provide any support to accompanying spouses/partners. As such, any
accompanying spouses/partners would not be expected to take part in any aspect of the
parliamentary visit programme provided by the UKIRO.
Version 15/01/2014
2
I would like to discuss a potential visit to the Scottish Parliament by a VIP/delegation who should I contact?
8. Your first point of contact should always be the UKIRO and specifically, Steven Bell,
Parliamentary Relations Officer. Steven can be contacted on 0131 348 6926 or via email at
ukiro@scottish.parliament.uk.
Are there any dates/days that I should avoid?
9. It is unlikely that the UKIRO will be able to facilitate visits during parliamentary recess
periods when Members are not in Parliament and are working within their constituencies. A
web link to a list of all parliamentary recess dates can be found below.
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/index.htm
What information do I need to provide?
10. As the UKIRO are charged with developing focussed, business programmes to ensure value
for both the international visitor and the Scottish Parliament, it is essential that you provide
clear information relating to your visit. To assist with this process, a copy of our Visit
Information Form should be completed and emailed to the UKIRO email address –
ukiro@scottish.parliament.uk. A copy of this form is found on the UK and International Office
pages of our website.
Can I expect my visit request to be taken forward?
11. The Scottish Parliament receives many visit requests from international delegations and, as
you will appreciate, the demand often exceeds our capacity. As such, we have to consider
how best to prioritise our resources in line with our international strategy, and much planning
ahead is required.
12. Given this, the UK and International Relations Office are unable to take forward all visit
requests. However, in such situations, we can offer a private tour of the Scottish Parliament
with our Visitor Services Department. This tour is of an excellent standard, in that it provides
both a warm welcome, and a full briefing on the workings of the Scottish Parliament.
When will I hear?
13. You should, whenever possible, contact the Scottish Parliament well in advance of your
potential visit, certainly giving at least one month’s notice. You should then expect to
receive an initial acknowledgement from the UKIRO, with a substantive response being
issued to you within an approximate 10 working day timescale.
What length of programme can I expect?
14. The length of the programme will be determined by the information provided in the Visit
Information Form (see “What Information Do I Need to Provide” above). However, on
average, visits are likely to take the form of a one or two day programme.
Once my visit is accepted, what are the next steps?
15. On issue of the decision, the UKIRO will firstly be in touch to clarify any gaps within the
business information provided (as noted above) – this is vital to a productive business
programme. In addition, we will expect you to provide the following logistical information:

Any changes to the list of visiting delegates.
Version 15/01/2014
3





Phonetics and biographies for all of the delegates.
The level of English, and whether an interpreter will accompany the delegation (the
visitor is responsible for arranging the interpreter).
Any dietary requirements or access needs.
How your delegation will arrive at the Scottish Parliament – on foot or by car.
Whether the delegation would wish a private tour of the Scottish Parliament included
within their business programme.
16. Once all the information has been secured, you are then likely to receive one or two drafts of
your business programme, before receiving the final version in the week prior to your visit.
Version 15/01/2014
4