Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Leaving the EU

Wednesday 12 February 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK has left the European Union and now has the freedom to shape its own future.
  • The UK internal market is crucial for Scotland, which conducts 1.5 times more trade with the rest of the UK than with the EU and the rest of the world combined.
  • The Government aims to ensure that all sectors of Scotland's economy, including financial services, continue to thrive post-Brexit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Scotland Brexit
Context

Inquiry into the impacts of UK leaving EU on Scotland's economy and society. Includes assessment requests for economic and social aspects.

Question

What recent assessment has been made by his Department regarding the economic and social impact on Scotland from the UK's departure from the European Union?

Answer from Douglas Ross

Now that we have left the European Union, we are free to determine our own future. We want 2020 to be a year of economic and social growth for Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Not addressed: Did not provide any specific assessment or statistics on the impact of Brexit on Scotland's economy and society

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Q2 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Concern about the prioritisation of the UK internal market over future trade deals, specifically mentioning a commitment to ensure provision for developing this market.

Question

The Secretary of State has stated in the Chamber that the UK internal market represents the majority of Scotland's total export market, and it is therefore vital that he makes provision to develop and strengthen that market. Will he confirm that the Government will prioritise the UK's internal market over any future US-UK trade deal?

Answer from Douglas Ross

I absolutely can because the UK internal market is so important for this country and Scotland. The Secretary of State has mentioned some figures today, and Scotland does 1.5 times more in trade with the rest of the UK than it does with the EU and the rest of the world combined.

Answered
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Q3 Vicky Ford Con
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Concern about the impact of future trade negotiations on various sectors of Scotland's economy, especially financial services.

Question

The financial services sector is a major employer in my Chelmsford constituency, as well as in Scotland. Will my hon. Friend ensure that all parts of the Scottish economy are preserved and cared for in our future trade negotiations?

Answer from Douglas Ross

Absolutely. The future of Scotland's economy and the UK economy will be buoyant, and as we leave the European Union we want to ensure that all our sectors continue to thrive. I assure my hon. Friend that we in the Scotland Office will do everything possible to facilitate those discussions.

Not addressed: Did not provide specific commitments or actions for ensuring preservation and care of Scottish economy during trade negotiations.

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Q4 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Discussion about the impact of border checks due to Brexit, with mention of SNP's declining popularity in polls.

Question

The response we have heard from the Government Front Bench today might explain why the Minister has lost half his Scottish colleagues, why the SNP is at 51% in the polls and why the majority of the Scottish people now want independence. In the real world, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster says that border checks are now inevitable for almost everybody because of the Government's disastrous Brexit. How will this help Scottish business?

Answer from Douglas Ross

The hon. Gentleman mentions the real world, so let us look at the real world in Scotland where the SNP is in power: we have bridges that people cannot get across; we have hospitals that it cannot open; and we have an education system that is failing. That is the record that the Scottish Government and the SNP will have to go to the people in a little over 15 months' time. I look forward to that election, when what the Scottish Government and the SNP have done to Scotland since 2007 will have an impact on the result.

Not addressed: Did not address how border checks would help or hinder Scottish businesses.

How: Criticised The Opposition

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