Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Transition Period

Wednesday 1 July 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 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Greg Smith asked the Secretary of State about discussions with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster regarding the EU transition period and its effects on Scotland.
  • The Secretary of State agreed that the UK Government is focused on delivering the benefits of free trade, unlike the Scottish Government, which he believes is preoccupied with past issues.
  • Pete Wishart questioned the Secretary of State about opinion polls showing majority support in Scotland for a Brexit extension and independence, to which the Secretary of State responded by making a comment on Wishart's personal life.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Weaver Vale
Scotland Brexit
Context

Discussions on the EU transition period and its implications for Scotland.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on the ending of the transition period in relation to Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack (Secretary of State for Scotland)

I have regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on EU transition matters, including the end of the transition period and the benefits to Scotland of once again being able to control our own laws, our own trade and our own fishing waters.

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Q2 Greg Smith Con Weaver Vale
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Discussion on the UK government's focus on delivering free trade benefits for Scottish businesses and criticism of the Scottish government's stance.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Does he agree that while it is outrageous that even last month the Scottish Government were wasting resources on fighting the battles of the past with regard to the transition period, the UK Government are focused on delivering the benefits of free trade not just for Scottish businesses but for all businesses in our United Kingdom?

Answer from Alister Jack (Secretary of State for Scotland)

Yes, I agree. I think Scottish Ministers need to wake up to the fact that we have left the European Union and we will leave the transition period on 31 December. I know that the Scottish Government do not like the outcomes of referendums when they do not go their way, but this is another one we are delivering on.

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Q3 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and North Perthshire
Scotland Brexit
Context

Discussion on public opinion regarding a potential Brexit extension and support for Scottish independence based on recent polls.

Question

An opinion poll recently found that 63% of the Scottish people back a Brexit extension—that is on top of the overwhelming majority who oppose the Brexit disaster in its entirety—and the Secretary of State has probably seen an opinion poll that found that 54% of the Scottish people now want an independent Scotland. What does the Secretary of State believe links those opinion polls, and what does that tell him about where our country is heading?

Answer from Alister Jack (Secretary of State for Scotland)

I was going to say I was pleased that for once that the hon. Gentleman had not made it all about independence, but he managed to weave it in. I think the whole House would like to congratulate him on giving up his own independence by getting engaged last weekend. The answer is that we had a general election and we had a resounding majority across the United Kingdom for a manifesto that said we would honour the result of the referendum. We are going to honour that result: we are going to take back control of our laws, borders and money and we are going to leave the hated common fisheries policy and become—an independent coastal state.

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