Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strengthening the Union

Wednesday 22 February 2023 · 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is investing over 2 billion to level up across Scotland and working with the Scottish Government on growth deals and freeports.
  • The UK Government's free trade programme includes negotiations with India and the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership.
  • The Minister agrees with Jamie Stone that the proposed ban on advertising could damage distilleries and employment in rural Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Menzies Con
Scotland
Context

The MP inquired about steps to strengthen the Union.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to strengthen the Union?

Answer from Alister Jack

The Government's commitment to Scotland is best demonstrated by what we are doing on the ground. We are investing more than £2 billion to level up across Scotland and working with the Scottish Government to deliver growth deals and freeports in Scotland.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Menzies Con
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquired about the benefits of removing trade barriers for Scottish food and drink production, especially Scotch whisky and seafood.

Question

What benefits will the removal of trade barriers have for Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

The latest statistics on exports of Scotch whisky and salmon underline how much demand there is for these premium products. The UK Government have an ambitious programme of free trade negotiations that will include India and the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership.

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Q3 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Employment Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP expressed concern about a proposed ban on whisky advertising potentially damaging local distilleries in Scotland and affecting employment.

Question

Is it not crazy that the proposed ban on advertising is going to damage distilleries in our constituencies and could impair employment in rural parts of Scotland?

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes, the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. This is just another example of how anti-business this Scottish Government are—the SNP and its coalition partners, the Greens.

Not addressed: Specific impact on distilleries and employment

How: Attacking Opposition

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