Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Promoting Scotland Overseas

Wednesday 17 May 2023 · 8 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government and its departments work alongside the Scottish Government to promote Scotland overseas through events like Tartan Week in New York.
  • The UK Government welcomes the Scottish Government's focus on promoting global Scotland but objects to actions that undermine reserved areas, such as banning whisky advertising.
  • The UK Government promotes Scotland's food, drink industry, renewables, and sales through trade deals, and suggests SNP should support these efforts rather than opposing them.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steven Bonnar
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The question is prompted by the need for coordinated efforts between UK and Scottish governments to promote Scotland's interests abroad.

Question

What recent steps have been taken with the Scottish Government to promote Scotland overseas?

Answer from Alister Jack

The UK Government and its departments work alongside the Scottish Government, including through events like Tartan Week in New York to identify opportunities for trade and investment.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Douglas Chapman SNP
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Scottish whisky industry and food sector face challenges such as higher taxation and post-Brexit regulatory issues.

Question

Does the Secretary of State welcome the Scottish Government's focus on promoting global Scotland, considering recent issues with higher taxes for whisky and post-Brexit trade barriers?

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes, I welcome those efforts but also highlight that the UK government works within reserved areas and does not support any actions by Scotland that undermine these areas like banning whisky advertising.

Partly answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q3 Alyn Smith
Scotland Energy
Context

The North Seas Energy Cooperation Forum is a gathering of coastal states around the North Sea, and the UK has been hesitant to join despite it being seen as a world-leading platform for renewable energy cooperation.

Question

If the UK does not want to join the North Seas Energy Cooperation forum, could they stop holding Scotland back from participating in this important international collaboration?

Answer from Alister Jack

The UK Government promotes Scotland's food, drink industry, renewables and sales through trade deals. It suggests SNP should support these efforts rather than opposing them.

Not addressed: Specific question about North Seas Energy Cooperation forum was not directly answered

How: Get Behind The Uk Government

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q4 Steven Bonnar
Business & Trade
Context

Scotland has been ranked as the best performing nation or region outside London for foreign direct investment, a trend attributed to the Scottish Government's efforts.

Question

Should the UK Government learn from the success of the Scottish Government in attracting foreign direct investment and use these lessons to encourage wider investment into England?

Answer from Alister Jack

The success is due to the work of the United Kingdom Government with 282 embassies, high commissions and consulates across 180 countries promoting Scotland's interests overseas.

Not addressed: Specific strategies for attracting foreign direct investment into England were not addressed

How: United Kingdom Government Work

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q5 Douglas Ross Con
Scotland
Context

The SNP awarded ferry contracts to Turkish yards rather than supporting domestic shipbuilding, leading to delays and budget overruns.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that Scotland's international reputation for shipbuilding has been damaged by the SNP due to ferry contract decisions?

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes, the Secretary of State agrees that the island communities have been let down by these decisions which are now six years late and over budget.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q6 Robin Millar
Scotland Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK's membership in the G7 and NATO provides advantages for Scotland as part of the UK.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that Scotland benefits from the UK's membership of the G7, NATO, and diplomatic missions around the world?

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes, indeed. Membership in such organizations is an advantage for Scotland as part of the United Kingdom.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q7 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Transport Scotland
Context

The CalMac ferry project has been criticized for wasting taxpayers' money, with islanders left stranded due to delays.

Question

Does the Secretary of State share concerns that Scottish Government is misusing taxpayers' money on poorly managed transport projects while leaving island communities without proper connections?

Answer from Alister Jack

I certainly do share those concerns regarding the use of taxpayers' money on poorly managed transport schemes like CalMac ferry project, leaving islanders stranded.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q8 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland
Context

The Scottish Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry into Scotland's international promotion, questioning the Secretary of State about unnecessary conflicts with promoting Scotland.

Question

Why does the Secretary of State feel it necessary to pick a fight unnecessarily when there are ongoing efforts for collaboration in promoting Scotland internationally?

Answer from Alister Jack

The UK Government should work with devolved administrations, but objects when they use missions overseas to promote separation or undermine foreign policy.

Partly answered

How: Using Missions For Promotion

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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