Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

United Kingdom Internal Market Bill

Wednesday 9 December 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Stephen Flynn questioned the Secretary of State about discussions on the impact of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill on Scotland.
  • The Secretary of State responded that devolution was a mistake when it was set up to be controlled by separatists, disagreeing with the Scottish National Party.
  • The Secretary of State stated that the announcement about Northern Ireland's market access does not undermine claims about the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill, emphasizing unfettered access promised and delivered.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Flynn SNP Aberdeen South
Scotland Brexit
Context

The question addresses the effect of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill on Scotland, a contentious issue due to its perceived impact on devolution.

Question

What recent discussions has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues regarding the impact of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill on Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

I have frequent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill, which is vital to protect seamless trade and jobs across all four corners of the United Kingdom following the end of the transition period.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide details about recent discussions or their specific content regarding Scotland's impact.

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Q2 Stephen Flynn SNP Aberdeen South
Scotland
Context

The question references the Prime Minister's statement that devolution was Tony Blair's biggest mistake, indicating a contentious view on the issue.

Question

Does the Secretary of State disagree with the Prime Minister who said that devolution was Tony Blair's biggest mistake?

Answer from Alister Jack

What the Prime Minister said was that devolution was a mistake when it was set up to be put in the hands of separatists, and I completely agree with that. The Scottish National party is a campaigning organisation for independence masquerading as a party of Government.

Not addressed: The response did not address whether he disagrees with the Prime Minister's statement directly, instead criticizing the SNP.

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Q3 Mhairi Black SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The question arises from a new announcement that Northern Ireland will have access to both EU and UK markets, questioning the necessity of the bill.

Question

Does the Secretary of State feel that the announcement that Northern Ireland will have access to both EU and UK markets undermines his claims about the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill?

Answer from Alister Jack

No, not remotely. What we have delivered on is unfettered access. We promised unfettered access at the time of the withdrawal agreement and we have delivered it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address whether the announcement undermines claims about the bill but affirmed delivery of unfettered access.

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Q4 Mhairi Black SNP
Scotland Brexit
Context

The question builds on previous concerns regarding Scotland's position post-Brexit, given Northern Ireland's promised access to both markets.

Question

Will the Secretary of State make the case for Scotland to receive similar concessions as promised to Northern Ireland, considering that 60% of Scotland's trade is with the rest of the UK?

Answer from Alister Jack

Scotland is in the fortunate position as part of the United Kingdom of not having a land border that it needs to worry about. The Northern Ireland situation is different—it has special circumstances. We have resolved the problem as we promised we would.

Not addressed: The response did not address advocating for Scotland but instead pointed out differences with Northern Ireland, avoiding a commitment on similar concessions.

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Q5 Hannah Bardell SNP
Scotland
Context

The question connects the support for Scottish independence with public opinion and polling data, questioning if the bill has contributed to this trend.

Question

Does he believe that his Government's internal market Bill has contributed to a rise in support for the SNP and Scottish independence?

Answer from Alister Jack

There is nothing disastrous about a United Kingdom Internal Market Bill that has mutual recognition and non-discrimination at its base, and that protects jobs in Scotland and people's livelihoods, when 60% of Scotland's trade is to the rest of the UK, worth over £50 billion and providing 554,000 jobs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not directly acknowledge or deny any contribution but defended the bill's importance to Scottish economy.

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