Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Scottish Parliament: Legislative Competence

Wednesday 3 November 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Greg Smith asked the Minister about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.
  • The Minister responded that conversations with Cabinet colleagues focus on maintaining and strengthening the devolution settlement and ensuring all legislation respects the roles of Scotland's Parliaments and Governments.
  • The Minister also noted the importance of the Scottish Government using their existing powers effectively within the Scotland Act 1998 framework.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Scotland
Context

Discussion about the legislative powers and responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament under the devolution settlement.

Question

What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament?

Answer from Alister Jack

I have frequent conversations with Cabinet colleagues about maintaining and strengthening the devolution settlement, ensuring that all legislation clearly reflects the competence and roles of Scotland's two Parliaments and two Governments.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Scotland
Context

Concern about the Scottish Government's approach to using its current powers effectively, rather than seeking additional ones.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the key issue here is the need for the Scottish Government to exercise their existing powers more effectively, rather than asking for new powers or seeking to go outside the realms of the Scotland Act 1998?

Answer from Alister Jack

We routinely engage with the Scottish Government on the use of devolved powers. It is in the interests of citizens across the UK for both Governments to operate within their respective powers as set out in the Scotland Act. The Law Officers referred clauses of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill and the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill to the Supreme Court, which agreed with our views on every count.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email