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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.

Information on engagement the Scottish Government has had with government officials from (a) Iraqi Kurdistan, (b) Iraq and (c) Turkey in the last 6 months could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is due to the high number of potential communications across Scottish Government.

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 to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights across the world. We expect all states to comply with international and human rights law, and we condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur.

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 enduring commitment to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights across the world. We expect all states to comply with international and human rights law, and we condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur.

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.

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, officials have been in contact with the Qatar Embassy in London in April and May. The focus of these discussions has been the preparations for the Minister’s attendance at the Doha Form 20 – 22 May. No updates have included reference to the imprisonment of poet, Mohammed al-Ajami.

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-Ajami has been issued.

The Scottish Government’s International Framework recognises that, as a good global citizen, Scotland has a strong and enduring commitment to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights across the world. We expect all states to comply with international and human rights law, and we condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur.

Substantial monitoring and evaluation was carried out by independent consultants Halcrow Group Limited during the period of the Road Equivalent Tariff pilot in the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree. Halcrow produced their ‘Assessment of the Impacts of the Road Equivalent Tariff Pilot’ report in July 2011. That report was published by Transport Scotland and a copy of the report can be accessed by following the attached link

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/water/ferries/Assessment_of_the_Impacts_of_the_RET_Pilot_-_Final_Report.pdf

A further independent report produced by MVA Consultancy Ltd on the ‘Impact of the Removal of RET Fares from Commercial Vehicles on The Western Isles, Coll and Tiree’ was published by Transport Scotland in April 2013 and can be accessed by following the attached link

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j264768-00.htm

RET has been made a permanent feature on services to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree, and a further RET pilot was rolled out on services to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha in October 2012. Evaluation of this pilot will take place prior to the roll-out of RET to Arran in October 2014, and to all West Coast and Clyde islands within the term of this Parliament.

Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) for all carrying types was introduced as a pilot on routes to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree on 19 October 2008. RET for larger commercial vehicles was however, withdrawn from April 2012. RET was continued for passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and coaches on this route on a permanent basis. RET was rolled out as a pilot to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha from October 2012.

The annual carrying statistics split by passenger and type of vehicle on a route by route basis are available on the CalMac Ferries Limited website. The information can be accessed by following the attached link

http://www.calmac.co.uk/corporate-calmac/carrying-statistics.htm.

RET is a distance based fares structure, which underpins the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing one single overarching fares policy across ferry services subsidised by the Scottish Government.

Fares are set using a fixed element, reflecting the fixed costs that exist on each route, and a variable rate per mile. There are no plans to rename the scheme.