Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strengthening the Union

Wednesday 16 March 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on improving Union connectivity have been held regularly, including meetings with Baroness Vere and the new Scottish Government Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth.
  • The Minister agrees that collaboration between the UK and Scottish Governments and local authorities is essential for the benefit of residents and businesses, though notes frustration with project priorities in the Scottish Government's strategic transport plans.
  • The Minister responds to questions about a proposed bridge across Beaufort's Dyke, asserting that exploring all transport link possibilities is important, even if some proposals have faced criticism.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The question arises from ongoing discussions and initiatives aimed at improving Union connectivity between different parts of the UK.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on strengthening Union connectivity?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on improving Union connectivity and recently met Baroness Vere to discuss the final report of the Union connectivity review. I look forward to meeting the new Scottish Government Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth, in the near future to discuss shared transport priorities.

Answered
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Q2 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Transport Scotland Local Government
Context

The proposal to extend the Borders railway through Longtown in Neil Hudson's constituency and on to Carlisle has been under consideration for a long time, aiming to improve connectivity, benefit local communities and boost the economy.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is essential that the UK and Scottish Governments work together and with local authorities to prioritise the delivery of this project, which would benefit local residents and businesses and strengthen our precious Union?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I completely agree with my hon. Friend that we need to work together on this project, which will be of benefit to his constituents and the whole country. I regret that the project has not had the priority we would like to see in the Scottish Government's strategic transport projects review 2, but we will continue to work with the Scottish Government and see how we can best support it. We have committed to the next stage of the project, and I hope the Scottish Government do, too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or commitment for prioritising the extension was not given.

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Q3 Martin Docherty SNP
Transport
Context

There is a concern about the expenditure on projects that do not materialise, such as the impossible bridge across Beaufort's Dyke.

Question

On strengthening Union connectivity, can the Minister advise the House on what happened to the impossible bridge across Beaufort's Dyke? What kind of money was spent on something that never happened and did not connect the Union?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that it is right that we look at all possible transport links. He mocks, but if he looks at what the Scottish Government are proposing, they are looking at fixed tunnels linking parts of Scotland together. In the Union connectivity review, we are looking at strengthening.

Not addressed: Details about expenditure and progress related to the project across Beaufort's Dyke were not provided.

How: Mocking, Changing Subject

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