I READ with interest the comments of Keith Howell (Letters, January 11), in which he says "the people of Scotland are not falling for SNP’s attempts to paint the EU as a more attractive prospect than the UK".

The Scotland Government's own export figures from 2002 to 2014 confirm trade with the EU has continued to decline year on year, now down by 20 per cent in real terms since 2002.

Trade with the rest of the UK has increased rapidly by 31 per cent. And international exports excluding the EU have grown by 35 per cent, both also in real terms, after factoring in HM Treasury inflation data.

The figures are stark.

EU exports have flatlined, in cash terms, from £10.9 billion in 2002 to £11.6bn in 2014. Growth has been stunted grown, down £2.5bn in real terms over 12 years.

Rest of the UK exports have increased significantly in cash terms from £28.8bn in 2002 to £48.5bn in 2014. And non-EU international exports have grown the fastest, from £8.7bn to £15.2bn in the same period, a £4bn real terms increase. Once 20 per cent below EU exports in 2002, non-EU international exports have now overtaken EU exports in 2014 by a full 30 per cent, highlighting the potential advantages to be capitalised on by Brexit.

So our Government’s irrational conclusion is a narrative that leaving the EU will be an economic disaster where exports have fallen by £2.5bn in real terms over 12 years. But leaving the UK, our major export trading partner four times larger, where our exports have grown by more than £11bn in real terms, will somehow result in a superior economic arrangement.

These basic export trend data and comparisons are unfortunately omitted from inclusion in the Scottish Government's paper Scotland’s Place in Europe.

The paper concludes: "Continued membership of the European Single Market provides growth opportunities for Scotland - for example Norway's exports to the EU totalled €77.9 billion in 2014.” The reality is that even over the last 12 years Scotland’s export growth has been everywhere else, but not in the EU. And Norway’s geographical location and export profile bears little resemblance to Scotland.

The Government is committed to considering "all options" and the worst-scenario potential costs of leaving the EU are given prominence, quoting for example Fraser of Allander. However, objectivity is ditched, and the other and bigger side of the equation, that of the risk and potential cost of Scotland leaving the UK, is neither quantified or calculated.

Richard Richardson,

Albert Road, Glasgow.

THE SNP’s consultation on a draft referendum bill states that the intention is to once again ask: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

My dictionary defines being Independent as being “not dependent or relying on others: not subordinate: completely self-governing: thinking or acting for oneself: too self-respecting to accept help”. This is arguably a noble aspiration - one that put fire in the heart of William Wallace (or at least the cinema portrayal of him). It does not, however, describe Scotland’s situation were we to leave the UK and remain in or rejoin the EU.

Even though I voted to remain in the EU, the notion that we need an independence referendum because EU membership, trade and handouts are more important to Scotland than the status we already have as an integral partner in the UK, makes me wonder if Brexiters are in fact the true Bravehearts.

If we Scots are foolish enough to add to the existing uncertainty by holding another referendum, then the question should be honest and ask “Should Scotland separate from the UK?” There should be no mention of independence unless the intention is to remain outside of the EU.

Interestingly, myself and others who have tried, could find nowhere on the online draft referendum consultation to comment on the misleading wording of the question. If there is somewhere we can make this point, I would be grateful if someone would point it out. If there isn’t then I can only assume that the SNP doesn’t want the wording to reflect the reality.

Mark Openshaw,

42 Earlswells Road, Aberdeen.

SCOTLAND, a nation with her own parliament, voted to remain in the EU but seems condemned to be removed from membership under the Brexit decision made by other nations in the United Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Denmark is a member of the EU but the Faroe Islands, a nation with her own parliament but technically a County (Amt) of Denmark, voted not to join the EU as explicitly asserted by both Rome treaties. The Faroe Islands’ relations with the EU are governed by a Fisheries Agreement [1977] and a Free Trade Agreement [1991, revised 1998].

This principle established, can Scotland not be treated likewise and remain in the EU while the other “Counties” do their own thing and leave?

Dr David Stewart.

3 Dunnydeer Gardens, Insch.