Subject: Freedom of Information Request

Thank you for your e-mail dated 27 November 2007, in which you requested information relating to the Department’s expenditure with Common Purpose United Kingdom.

I can confirm that the Department does hold some information relating to your request. I must advise that this response covers those parts of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) which were part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs prior to the creation of the MoJ on 9 May 2007, and have been extracted from the Corporate Finance records.

I must also advise that while these expenditure figures have been recorded with the Corporate Finance team, it is possible that other areas of the Department may have incurred expenditure in this area from local budgets, but any such expenditure has not been reported to Corporate Finance.

For ease of reference, I will copy and address each of your questions in turn.

How much has been spent on Common Purpose training?

I can confirm that during the current financial year to date, a total of £8,400 has been spent on training provided by Common Purpose United Kingdom.

How much has been spent on implementing Common Purpose training?

I can confirm that there has been no expenditure in implementing the training provided by Common Purpose United Kingdom.

How many employees have received Common Purpose training?

I can confirm that during the current financial year to date, two members of staff have received training provided by Common Purpose United Kingdom.

What inducement or encouragement has been received to take Common Purpose training?

What inducement or encouragement has been received to adopt Common Purpose training?

What inducement or encouragement has been received to promote Common Purpose training?

I can confirm that there has been no inducement or encouragement to take, adopt or promote training provided by Common Purpose United Kingdom.

The problem with Common Purpose is that the attendees are not allowed to talk about what happens on their courses and no minutes are taken at Common Purpose training courses or meetings.  Attendees may have been encouraged or induced to promote Common Purpose but there will be no records to confirm this and the attendees have agreed to keep what happens a secret.  This certainly doesn’t encourage open government, transparency or accountability.  How does the Ministry of Justice know that what the attendees have been taught and agreed to do in their secret meetings is in the best interests of the department or the electorate, especially when the course teaches attendees to lead beyond their authority?  Who’s to say that one day that authority won’t be the democratically elected government?

I’ve put this question to the Ministry of Justice, I’ll post the response if I ever get one.

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