Question thread · 33 questions
What recent (a) meetings and (b) communications it has had with government officials from (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar and (vii) Spain and on what issues.
Started with S4W-13345 on 27 Feb 2013; latest 11 Nov 2013. Each later question says it follows up an earlier answer.
The thread, in order
Each answer’s opening lines; open a question for the full text-
To ask the Scottish Government what recent (a) meetings and (b) communications it has had with government officials from (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar and (vii) Spain and on what issues.
Humza Yousaf, 7 Mar 2013: The Scottish Government, as part of its international engagement, has recently held numerous meetings and communications with government officials from other countries to discuss areas of mutual interest. These meetings and communications from both ministers and officials have been wide ranging and have taken place ac… -
How many meetings ministers and officials have had with government officials from (a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) China, (d) Iceland, (e) Ireland, (f) Qatar and (g) Spain in the last two years.
Humza Yousaf, 27 Mar 2013: Information on the number of meetings between Scottish Government ministers and officials and government officials of (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar or (vii) Spain in the last two years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is due to the high number of po… -
How many communications ministers and officials have had with government officials from (a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) China, (d) Iceland, (e) Ireland, (f) Qatar and (g) Spain in the last two years.
Humza Yousaf, 27 Mar 2013: Information on the number of communications between Scottish Government ministers and officials and government officials of (i) Argentina, (ii) Brazil, (iii) China, (iv) Iceland, (v) Ireland, (vi) Qatar or (vii) Spain in the last two years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is due to the high number… -
How many civil servants are permitted to engage in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Fiona Hyslop, 23 Apr 2013: Scottish Government officials engage with officials from these countries on the basis of policy need. -
What grades of civil servants are permitted to engage in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Fiona Hyslop, 23 Apr 2013: Scottish Government officials engage with officials from these countries on the basis of policy need rather than grade. -
Whether one of its officials keeps track of all engagements between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: Officials from respective policy areas are responsible for keeping a record of engagement between Scottish Government officials and officials from other countries in accordance with the values set out in the Civil Service Code. -
Whether there is policy guidance that officials are obliged to follow when engaged in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina and, if so, whether it will publish such guidance.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: Officials are required to adhere to the Civil Service Code when engaging with government officials from other countries. -
How ministers are informed of dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: Scottish Government officials engage with Ministers on a regular basis. As part of this process, officials update Ministers on their engagement and dialogue with officials from other countries, in accordance with the Civil Service Code. -
What topics have been presented to or summarised for ministers as a result of dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: The Scottish Government places a high value on its relationships with other countries and engages with government officials from other countries on a number of areas of mutual interest. For example, the topics summarised for Ministers on Qatar include official to officials’ dialogue on trade and investment, Scotland’s… -
Within what parameters its officials are expected to work when engaged in dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-14016, S4W-14017 and S4W-14018 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. -
Whether, in the last three months, it has issued new guidance to its officials with responsibilities for dialogue with government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: No new guidance has been published. I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-14016, S4W-14017 and S4W-14018 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentary… -
How ministers ensure that dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina reflect ministerial policy.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14018 on 25 April 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. -
Whether ministers discuss with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: There has been no recent contact with Foreign and Commonwealth Ministers on Scottish Government officials’ contact with these two countries but the Scottish Government engages in regular dialogue with the UK Government. A Memorandum of Understanding is in place to facilitate this interaction. -
How ministers will report to the Parliament on dialogue between Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: The parliamentary process provides mechanisms through which the Parliament can request information about the Scottish Government’s engagement with these countries. -
Whether it will provide a summary of the engagement in the last six months between its officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 25 Apr 2013: Due to the potential high number of engagements across the Scottish Government officials and government officials from (a) Qatar and (b) Argentina, a full break down of engagements in the last six months and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. In addition, I refer the member to the answer to question S4… -
For what reasons the relevant policy officials could not provide their records of engagement with officials and ministers from the Government of Argentina in order to answer question S4W-13606.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: Over the last 12 months there have been no meetings between Scottish Government Ministers or officials, or ministers and officials from the Government of Argentina. However, Scottish Government officials held a courtesy meeting with the Culture Minister of Santa Fe province, Ms Chiqui Gonzalez on 6 December 2012. -
Whether ministers have provided specific guidance to officials, in addition to the Civil Service Code, on dealing with ministers and officials from the Government of Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: Ministers have provided no specific guidance to officials in addition to the Civil Service Code on dealing with ministers and officials from Government of Argentina. -
Whether ministers have set out parameters for officials to limit the topics that can be discussed in dealing with ministers and officials of the Government of Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: Ministers have not set out parameters for officials to limit the topics that can be discussed in dealing with Ministers and officials of the Government of Argentina. -
Whether ministers have been updated on dialogue between Scottish Government officials and officials and ministers of the Government of Argentina in the last six months.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14553 on 10 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. -
For what reasons no summary of the discussions between its officials and the Government of Argentina was provided in the answer.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14553 on 10 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. -
What its policy objectives are for officials dealing with the Government of Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: The Scottish Government’s international priorities are set out in Scotland’s International Framework which can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0040/00405438.pdf. -
What documents it has published in the last 12 months that include reference to engagement with the Government of Argentina and how many of those included a ministerial foreword.
Humza Yousaf, 13 May 2013: The Scottish Government has not published any documents in the last 12 months that include specific reference to engagement with the Government of Argentina. -
On what occasions in the last 12 months ministers have reported to the Parliament on their engagement with the Government of Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: Information pertaining to ministers’ reports to Parliament, forms part of the Parliamentary Record which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/OfficialReport.aspx. -
What benefits have arisen from its engagement with the Government of Argentina in the last 12 months.
Humza Yousaf, 10 May 2013: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14553 on 10 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. -
Whether ministers have provided specific guidance to officials on dealing with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar in addition to the Civil Service Code and, if so, whether such guidance includes reference to the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.
Humza Yousaf, 31 May 2013: I refer back to my answer to question S4W-14017. Officials adhere to the Civil Service Code when engaging with government officials from other countries. No specific guidance to officials on dealing with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar and reference to the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Aja… -
Whether ministers have set out parameters to officials on discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami, with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar.
Humza Yousaf, 31 May 2013: No parameters have been set out by Ministers for officials regarding their discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami with ministers and officials from the Government of Qatar. The Scottish Government’s International Framework recognises that, as a good global citizen, Scotland has a strong and endu… -
Whether ministers have been updated on dialogue between Scottish Government officials and officials and ministers from the Government of Qatar in the last six months and, if so, whether such updates have included discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.
Humza Yousaf, 31 May 2013: Officials from the Scottish Government were in contact with officials and ministers from the Government of Qatar in November and December 2012 to make the necessary logistical arrangements for the Minister’s meeting with His Excellency Mr Khalid Rashid Al-Mansouri KCVO, Qatar Embassy in London. Following this, officia… -
Whether the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami, has arisen in dialogue with the Government of Qatar.
Humza Yousaf, 31 May 2013: Further to the answer to S4W-14019 I can confirm that the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami has not arisen in dialogue with the Government of Qatar. -
Whether it will consider new guidance for officials dealing with the Government of Qatar to encourage discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.
Humza Yousaf, 31 May 2013: We have no plans to issue new guidance at this stage for officials dealing with the Government of Qatar to encourage discussion of the imprisonment of the poet, Mohammed al-Ajami. The Scottish Government’s International Framework recognises that, as a good global citizen, Scotland has a strong and enduring commitment … -
Whether the meeting with Ms Chiqui Gonzalez on 6 December 2012 included any reference to the (a) future of the Falkland Islands and (b) views of the President of Santa on the future of the Falkland Islands.
Humza Yousaf, 4 Jun 2013: The meeting with MS Chiqui Gonzalez on 3 December 2012 included no reference to the future of the Falkland Islands and the views of the President of Santa on the future of the Falkland Islands. The discussion focussed on shared family learning through cultural activity. -
In the absence of guidance from ministers, what position its officials would take in response to any discussion of the future of the Falkland Islands initiated by officials of the Government of Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 4 Jun 2013: I refer the member to the questions previously answered by me on 10 May 2013. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. -
For what reasons ministers have not set limits on the topics that can be discussed with ministers and officials from the Government of Argentina.
Humza Yousaf, 6 Jun 2013: The Scottish Government’s International Framework provides a clear focus for international engagement. -
Whether it has since taken steps to raise the issue of the poet, Mohamed al-Ajami, with the Qatari authorities.
Humza Yousaf, 21 Nov 2013: As stated in the Scottish Government’s International Framework we will raise human rights where and when appropriate. I raised issues relating to freedom of artistic expression and human rights during my recent brief visit to Qatar. No specific cases were mentioned on this occasion.
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