Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Maritime Security

Wednesday 12 February 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Scottish Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence regularly meet to discuss maritime security and other issues important to Scotland.
  • The Minister offered to meet Stewart McDonald to discuss UK Government investment in Scotland, including the arrival of the first P-8A aircraft in Moray.
  • The Minister stated that the protection of fisheries is a devolved issue and that DEFRA and other Departments are in dialogue with the Scottish Government on this matter.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stewart McDonald SNP
Defence Scotland
Context

The MP is concerned about maritime security, particularly in the high north of Scotland due to historical breaches.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Defence on maritime security off the coast of Scotland?

Answer from Douglas Ross

The Scottish Secretary and I regularly meet the Secretary of State for Defence to discuss a range of issues of importance to Scotland, including maritime security.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions on maritime breaches in high north of Scotland were not mentioned.

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Q2 Stewart McDonald SNP
Defence Scotland
Context

The MP seeks assurance that the Scotland Office will engage in the upcoming integrated defence review and requests a meeting to discuss issues important to his constituency.

Question

Can he assure the House that the Scotland Office will be engaging fully with the upcoming integrated defence review, and will he agree to meet me to discuss some of the issues that are important to him and to the rest of Scotland?

Answer from Douglas Ross

I would be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman, and we can continue that discussion about the great investment by the UK Government into Scotland, and into Moray. Last week, we welcomed the first of nine P-8A aircraft, the “Pride of Moray”, which touched down at Kinloss.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Full engagement in the integrated defence review was not assured; instead, focus on investment and new aircraft was highlighted.

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Q3 David Duguid Con
Defence Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP inquires about the Minister's discussions with the Ministry of Defence regarding the protection of fisheries.

Question

Will the Minister update the House on his discussions with the Ministry of Defence about the protection of fisheries, not just regarding enforcement, but also monitoring?

Answer from Douglas Ross

That is a devolved issue, and I know that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and other Departments, are in continued dialogue about that with the Scottish Government and others.

Not addressed: Discussion was shifted to devolved issues and ongoing dialogues rather than addressing fisheries protection specifically.

How: Devolution

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