Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

International Relations

Wednesday 6 March 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Christine Jardine inquired about discussions with the Scottish Government and Cabinet colleagues on international relations policy.
  • The Minister confirmed discussions with the Foreign Secretary regarding the Scottish Government's international relations policy.
  • The Minister expressed concern that the Scottish National Party's involvement in international relations is inappropriate as it pertains to a reserved matter.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Scotland Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from the Scottish Government's involvement in foreign affairs, which are reserved to the UK government. The questioner is concerned about discussions and policies related to this.

Question

What discussions has he had with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) Cabinet colleagues on the Scottish Government's international relations policy?

Answer from Alister Jack

I have had frequent and recent discussions with the Foreign Secretary on the Scottish Government's international relations policy. Foreign affairs are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. We have been clear to the Scottish Government that they must respect that.

Answered
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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Scotland Foreign Affairs
Context

The question stems from the SNP's recent activities in international relations, which are considered inappropriate and potentially damaging to UK foreign policy.

Question

First, may I associate myself with the Secretary of State's comments about the Scottish victory in the Calcutta cup? Does the right hon. Gentleman share my concern that these recent forays into international relations by the SNP are not only inappropriate, because it is a reserved matter, but potentially damaging, both to important relationships between Scotland's two Governments and, critically, to UK foreign policy at a time when international tensions are at a height we have not seen since the cold war?

Answer from Alister Jack

I agree with the hon. Lady. It is important that the United Kingdom Government speak with one voice and the United Kingdom is seen to speak with one voice on foreign affairs. I note that Angus Robertson has produced another independence document this week on foreign affairs and defence, and there is a lot of nonsense in there.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific concerns regarding the impact on UK foreign policy, but the answer focused more on mocking SNP policies without addressing the direct implications for foreign relations.

How: Mocking Snp Policies, Referencing Nonsense In Independence Document

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