Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Discussions with Scottish Government

Tuesday 12 September 2023 · 4 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The inaugural meeting of the inter-ministerial group on justice took place, chaired by Lord Bellamy, including representatives from the Scottish and Welsh governments.
  • Jamie Stone raised concerns about mechanisms to ensure that new laws in Scotland or Wales do not disrupt England or other parts of the UK.
  • Chris Stephens inquired about conversations regarding a safe drug consumption room pilot in Glasgow, to which the Minister responded that recent reports suggest the pilot may not be working well.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Justice & Courts Scotland Wales
Context

Discussions about the inaugural meeting of the inter-ministerial group on justice involving all four nations of the UK.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with the Scottish Government on justice?

Answer from Mike Freer

The inaugural meeting of the inter-ministerial group on justice is taking place this afternoon, chaired by Lord Bellamy and attended by the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Angela Constance MSP, as well the Counsel General for Wales, Mick Antoniw MS. The forum has been established to discuss justice issues of mutual interest.

Answered
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Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Scotland Wales
Context

Concern about mechanisms to prevent Scottish legislation from disrupting England or other parts of the United Kingdom.

Question

As a convinced devolutionist, what mechanism is in place to ensure that any new law agreed in Edinburgh or Cardiff will not disrupt either England or other parts of the UK?

Answer from Mike Freer

The hon. Gentleman raises a good point about legislatures working in tandem for mutual benefit, as opposed to Scotland attempting to disrupt with ill-thought out legislation.

Not addressed: Mechanism to ensure new laws do not disrupt other parts of the UK

How: Changed Subject Entirely Without Addressing The Question.

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Q3 Chris Stephens SNP
Scotland
Context

Discussion of potential conversations between UK and Scottish Government Cabinet colleagues regarding a safe drug consumption room pilot.

Question

What conversations has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues in the Scottish Government on introducing a safe drug consumption room pilot in Glasgow?

Answer from Mike Freer

I am not sure, based on recent reports, that the particular pilot is working well. I will happily ask colleagues to see whether the pilot is working as suggested, but current reports do not support it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific conversations and details about the pilot in Glasgow

How: Hedging Language

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Q4 Chris Stephens SNP
NHS
Context

Request for an iron-clad commitment that the Government will not block a life-saving health measure based on evidence from around the world and new policies.

Question

Given existing evidence, can the Minister give an iron-clad commitment that the Government will not block this life-saving health measure?

Answer from Mike Freer

If treating drug taking as a health issue is working, we will learn from it and discuss with NHS colleagues. The principle of treating it as a health issue is being dealt with by the Health Secretary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to not blocking the pilot in Glasgow

How: Hedging Language

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