Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade

Wednesday 12 February 2020 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Scottish exports to the rest of the UK increased by 1.2 billion to 51.2 billion in 2018.
  • Over 60% of Scotland's exports go to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, worth more than three times the trade with the EU.
  • The Secretary of State supports 'unfettered access' between Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the rest of the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Economy Scotland Business & Trade
Context

There has been discussion about the economic ties between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Question

What recent economic assessment has his Department made of the value of trade between Scotland and the rest of the UK?

Answer from Alister Jack

Scottish exports to the rest of the UK increased in 2018 by £1.2 billion to £51.2 billion. The rest of the UK continues to be Scotland's largest market for exports, accounting for three times the value of exports to the European Union.

Answered
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Q2 James Sunderland
Business & Trade
Context

There has been discussion about Scotland's trade with the rest of the UK and its comparison to EU trade.

Question

Given the Secretary of State's assessment, will he confirm that Scotland's trade with the rest of the UK is worth more than three times that with the EU, and this is only one of the benefits on offer of being part of the United Kingdom?

Answer from Alister Jack

Scottish Government's own figures show that over 60% of Scotland's exports go to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is worth more than three times the trade with the other 27 EU countries combined.

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Q3 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Scotland
Context

There has been discussion about the economic impact of Scottish independence.

Question

Given the excellent figures my right hon. Friend has just given, does he share my concern that the separatist agenda peddled by the SNP is a direct threat to Scottish jobs and that it would inevitably end up, if its dreams come true, in a hard border?

Answer from Alister Jack

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend that Nicola Sturgeon's separatist agenda is a real threat to Scotland's jobs, businesses and the economy.

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Q4 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Northern Ireland Scotland
Context

There has been discussion about the SNP opposing a bill that would provide free period products in Scotland.

Question

If the Secretary of State truly values the trade between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom, why is he prepared to countenance a situation in which we would lose frictionless trade between Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Answer from Alister Jack

There will be 'unfettered access' between Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the rest of the United Kingdom.

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Q5 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Northern Ireland Scotland Business & Trade
Context

There has been discussion about the impact of Scottish independence on trade with other parts of the UK.

Question

Labour MSP Monica Lennon introduced a bill to give free provision of period products in Scotland, but it is opposed by the SNP Government. If that is the case, what kind of border does the Secretary of State think will be required in the event of an independent Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

That is a border we need to avoid. There should not be any sort of border between Gretna and Berwick.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific type of border or its necessity was not discussed

How: Deflection

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