Promoting Scotland Internationally

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 21 Jul 2022 Closed: 17 Jan 2024 Parliament page
The Committee recently conducted an inquiry into Promoting Scotland Internationally. Its report, published on 13 September 2023, can be read here . Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry.
8 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Letters
8 Events
Activity timeline 20 events
30 Nov
2023
Report published
13 Sep
2023
Report published
6 Sep
2023
Correspondence
4 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
12 Jul
2023
Correspondence
20 Jun
2023
Correspondence
12 Jun
2023
Oral evidence
12 Jun
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
16 May
2023
Correspondence
15 May
2023
Oral evidence
15 May
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
25 Apr
2023
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
12 Jun 2023
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David Rutley · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Rt Hon Alister Jack · Scotland Office The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO · Scotland Office
15 May 2023
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Francesca Hegyi OBE · Edinburgh International Festival Major General Buster Howes CB OBE · The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Shona McCarthy · Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
20 Mar 2023
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Dr Stephen Baker · Scottish Development International Reuben Aitken · Scottish Enterprise Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP · Scottish Government Scott Wightman · Scottish Government
9 Jan 2023
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Patricia Yates · VisitBritain/VisitEngland Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE · University of Glasgow Scott McDonald · British Council Vicki Miller · VisitScotland
12 Dec 2022
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Graeme Littlejohn · Scotch Whisky Association Jimmy Buchan · Scottish Seafood Association John Davidson · Scotland Food and Drink
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Internationally HC 625 13 Sep 2023 14 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
2 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Deferred
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Require FCDO to publish strategy guiding embassies on promoting Scotland's modern and traditional brand.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) should publish a strategy, to be circulated across its international diplomatic network, which sets out guidance and expectations for embassies on holding events to mark Scotland’s key dates, St Andrew’s Day and Burns … Read more
Government Response
The government discusses potential collaboration for Tartan Week 2024 in New York, with detailed plans to be developed, but does not commit to publishing a broader strategy, defining the Scottish brand, or providing annual reporting updates for embassies as recommended.
Scotland Office
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6 Conclusion Deferred
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotlan…
Require UK and Scottish governments to define intended focus for future Tartan Week participation.
The UK and Scottish governments should both explore the intended focus for their participation at “Tartan Week” in the future. “Tartan Week” provides a prime opportunity to promote Scotland.
Government Response
The government deflects the specific recommendation to explore the future focus of Tartan Week, instead highlighting existing positive collaboration between UK and Scottish government officials and the FCDO-Devolved Government Senior Officials’ Group for discussing international issues affecting devolved interests.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 14 of 8 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 5
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 1
Total 8 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
6 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from Christopher Thomson, Scottish Government Counsellor for the United States on sterling costs for Tartan week, dated 28 June 2023.
Parliament page
12 Jul 2023 Correspondence with the Rt Hon Mr Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland; David Rutley MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Americas and Caribbean) at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and The Lord Offord of Garvel, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Exports) at Department for Business and Trade on follow-up from evidence session on Promoting Scotland Internationally on 12 June 2023, dated 15 June and 10 July 2023.
Parliament page
20 Jun 2023 To committee Letter from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture at Scottish Government on follow-up from evidence session on Promoting Scotland Internationally on 12 June 2023, dated 14 June 2023.
Parliament page
16 May 2023 Correspondence from Reuben Aitken of Scottish Development International in follow up to the oral evidence session on Promoting Scotland Internationally on 20 March 2023
Parliament page
25 Apr 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture at Scottish Government on Promoting Scotland Internationally follow-up on 20 March 2023, dated 17 April 2023
Parliament page