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question for David Mundell, about the effect on Scotland of the UK

:00:00.:00:11.

leaving the EU. Order. Order. I have to tell the House that yesterday,

:00:12.:00:18.

together with other right honourable and honourable members, I attended

:00:19.:00:24.

upon Her Majesty The Queen to deliver the House's message of

:00:25.:00:28.

congratulations on her 90th birthday. Her Majesty made the

:00:29.:00:36.

following reply, members of the House of Commons, I am most grateful

:00:37.:00:41.

to you for your address on the occasion of my 90th birthday. I have

:00:42.:00:48.

been deeply touched by the many messages of congratulations, which I

:00:49.:00:51.

have received on this particular birthday. And I warmly reciprocate

:00:52.:00:55.

the good wishes of members of the House of Commons at this time.

:00:56.:01:04.

Order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland. Question number

:01:05.:01:13.

one. Can I begin by congratulating Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish

:01:14.:01:19.

National Party on achieving the largest number of seats in last

:01:20.:01:25.

week's Scottish Parliament elections, and say that I look

:01:26.:01:30.

forward to working with her and the new Scottish Government for the

:01:31.:01:33.

benefit of the people of Scotland. With permission I would like to

:01:34.:01:39.

answer questions one, two, three, six, seven and eight together. The

:01:40.:01:47.

government's position is that Scotland and the United Kingdom will

:01:48.:01:51.

be stronger, safer, and better off remaining in a reformed EU.

:01:52.:01:55.

Membership reduces costs for British businesses, supports jobs in

:01:56.:01:59.

Scotland and provides an export market currently worth ?11.6

:02:00.:02:05.

billion. -- reduces costs for Scottish businesses. This will not

:02:06.:02:13.

win the European referendum. Stories of war, genocide and economic

:02:14.:02:15.

crashes are not in keeping with making a positive case for the EU.

:02:16.:02:21.

Can the Secretary of State tell us when we will hear the positive case

:02:22.:02:27.

for remaining in the EU? Can I also add my congratulations to the

:02:28.:02:32.

Honourable Lady's husband on his re-election to the Scottish

:02:33.:02:34.

Parliament, where I am sure his witty town will be welcomed. She and

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her colleagues continue to call for a campaign for Scotland to remain in

:02:48.:02:50.

the EU, but all we hear from them is process and calls for a second

:02:51.:02:55.

referendum. I call on them to disregard that approach and actually

:02:56.:03:01.

start setting out the positive case themselves. The UK Government has

:03:02.:03:09.

shown disregard for Scotland's highly education -- higher education

:03:10.:03:14.

sector, scrapping the post study work Visa, against all Scottish

:03:15.:03:21.

political parties. Does here realise the crippling effect this is having

:03:22.:03:26.

on attracting young talent to Scotland? What I believe is that the

:03:27.:03:32.

biggest issue that faces Scotland currently is the uncertainty over

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the Scottish Government's inability to rule out a second independence

:03:38.:03:43.

referendum, which they could quite easily do. I look forward to the

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First Minister, if she is re-elected to that post, setting out clearly

:03:50.:03:56.

that we are not going to have a second independence referendum.

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Regarding work-study Visa, the work select committee have carried out a

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very good report into that issue, and the government is looking at it.

:04:06.:04:11.

Does the Secretary of State consider the 60% of the UK landings in

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Scotland Scottish fisheries minister should lead during the period of the

:04:18.:04:24.

UK presidency of the EU. Would such an initiative not be widely welcomed

:04:25.:04:29.

by Scottish fishermen, or is he still stuck in this rat of some

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nations being more equal than others? My position is that Scotland

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voted to remain part of the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom

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represents Scotland's division. We have been up in discussions on

:04:52.:05:01.

issues of representation at the EU, and how they should work. My

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understanding is the previous lead Scottish Government were agreed with

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these proposals. This week's even wired report was critical of the

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approach to the energy sector. Is stating it is not only stalling

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investment by jeopardising energy security. -- EY report. Does he

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agree that the best way for Scotland's energy policy to develop

:05:32.:05:38.

is within the EU? I agree it is within the best interests of

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Scotland to remain in the EU, and the best interest of Scotland to

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remain in the UK. It has been clearly set out that the best way

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forward for Scotland's energy sector is to have a UK wide common market.

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While we want the UK to remain part of the EU, I am wondering if the

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Secretary of State's mission is to antagonise as many Scots as possible

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before the referendum. But will he agree that if Scotland should be

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dragged out against its will, that would be a major constitutional

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change? He might be interested to know that tomorrow I am sharing a

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platform with the former Deputy Leader, Jim Sillars, where I will

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make the positive case for Scotland remaining in the EU, and I

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understand he will make the case for Scotland leaving. The president of

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the Royal College of psychiatry has warned that the UK with drawing

:06:50.:07:04.

would remove safeguards for psychiatric users. Would he support

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me in stopping them removing such human rights? The honourable lady is

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aware that the government is going to bring forward a consultation on a

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Bill of Rights post the EU referendum, but I do agree with her

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that the United Kingdom remaining within the EU is for the benefit of

:07:27.:07:37.

everyone in Scotland. With the Secretary of State agree that the

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government is split on the issue of whether we should remain in the

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European Union, just as the SNP are, with Jim Sillars speaking for the

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leave campaign? It is somewhat embarrassing for the government to

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be associating with that lot. What the Scottish National Party doesn't

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always do is respect that people have different opinions. My view is

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very firmly that Scotland should remain in the EU, but I recognise

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and respect that there are people in Scotland, including SNP voters and

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supporters, who want Scotland to leave the EU, and therefore that is

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why we're having a referendum and debate, and people have their say.

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Why hasn't my right honourable friend emphasised that when we leave

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the European Union, the Scottish parliament, Scottish Government and

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Scottish people will have sole control over Scottish fishing

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waters? I do not believe that the best interests of Scottish

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fishermen, Scottish farmers or the general population of Scotland would

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be served by leaving the EU because, as my honourable friend, who now

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serves on the select committee will know, large amounts of fish,

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particularly shellfish caught off the west coast of Scotland goes to a

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European market. Does my right honourable friend agree that

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Scotland, like the rest of the United Kingdom, would be safer if it

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left the European Union because the former head of MI6 has said, Britain

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is Europe's leader in intelligence, security matters, and gives much

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more than it gets in return. No. What assessment has the Secretary of

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State undertaken as to why the SNP are so keen on the EU, when it is

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clear that they are in the economic slow lane, when the unemployment

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rates as much higher, youth unemployment of over 50% in certain

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countries, and when it is a fact that the Common fisheries policy has

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over the years decimated the Scottish fishing fleet? I note the

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inherent contradiction in the SNP position because every argument they

:10:36.:10:39.

use for Scotland remaining in the EU where arguments they dismissed in

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relation to Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom, but in this

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occasion I will forgive them because I believe, like them, that it is in

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the best interests of Scotland to remain in the EU. A pensioner in my

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right honourable friend's constituency, she would like to say

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that she is very pleased to have two EY to deal with -- Mundells to deal

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with, but... I am sure the reforms will bring benefits for pensioners,

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and I also believe it is not the end of this free-form process. The EU is

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not perfect, even after these reforms, but it is up to the UK to

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lead in reforming the EU, not withdraw from it.

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What assessment has the Secretary of State made over last week 's

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Scottish Parliament election results, over removing the prospect

:11:58.:12:01.

of Scotland having to join as a new member?

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What I would say to my honourable friend is that there was one clear

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message from last week's elections, the people of Scotland do not want

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another referendum. And I hope that the First Minister has heard that

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message loud and clear. The EU referendum is about the UK's

:12:23.:12:27.

membership of the EU, it is not a rerun of the Scottish independence

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referendum. Speaker-macro, can I also take this

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opportunity to congratulate all MSP is elected last week and the SNP on

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their historic third term in Government. -- Mr Speaker. I do have

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to say that my own seed was a net gain from the SNP on that evening.

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-- seat. Can I also congratulate the Secretary of State on his son

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Oliver, being elected to the Scottish parliament, there are now

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not only two elected members, but they also both have fetching beards.

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The evidence is clear that the UK and Scotland are stronger in the UK,

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in the EU. In the Scottish context for example, 42% of exports, a

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quarter of a million jobs, 10% of higher education spending, so can

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the Secretary of State give this assurance that all conservative and

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-- MSPs will be campaigning to stay in the EU?

:13:35.:13:41.

I thank the honourable gentleman for his congratulations, and their

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congratulations to my son. The high point of the election for me was

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when somebody on the door that, you look a lot like your dad. But that

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aside, what I can assure him is that there will be a proper debate in

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Scotland. Ruth Davidson, head of the beginning of this referendum

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process, made her position very clear on supporting Scotland

:14:07.:14:10.

remaining in the EU. But we cannot hide the fact that there are people

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in Scotland who would like to leave the EU, and I think their views

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should be reflected. They Conservative Party is not frightened

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to hide the fact there are different views, there are different views

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across Scotland. The Secretary of State hasn't told

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us what Oliver's response was when that man said you look like your

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dad. Everybody knows this referendum is all about settling old scores in

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the Conservative Party. We also know that the SNP are desperate for any

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excuse to trigger another independence referendum. But the

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truth is that the UK is better in the EU, and Scotland is better off

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in the UK. So isn't it the case that this Secretary of State and his

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Government have taken a huge gamble with the UK's future and a huge

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gamble with Scotland's future as well?

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Absolutely not, we have allowed the people of Scotland and the people

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across the UK to have their say on this important issue, and they will

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do, and we need to have a debate in Scotland, I am campaigning

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vigorously as he appears to be for Scotland to remain in the EU, the

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SNP parliamentary party here at Westminster is campaigning for that.

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People like Jim Sellers are campaigning for Scotland to leave

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the EU. Let's have a vigorous debate in Scotland over the next few weeks,

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and I look forward to sharing a platform with him and SNP

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colleagues. -- Sillars. May I add my congratulations to the

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election of all over to the parliament. Can he confirmed to the

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House that he will continue to champion the Scotland Bill, which he

:16:01.:16:04.

passed through this House, which has given so many powers to the Scottish

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Parliament, to ensure that the Scottish people continue to benefit

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not just being in the UK but within the EU as well?

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Thank you for that, I must get my son elected more often, because

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there are more plaudits today than I recall ever previously! What I would

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say to him is that of course we will move forward with the implementation

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of the Scotland Bill, but we will also work hard to achieve a positive

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outcome for Scotland in the EU referendum on 23rd of June.

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Does the Secretary of State agree that the already high levels of

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support in Scotland for remaining in the EU could be improved further

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still if Scottish farmers could become -- could be confident they

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will hit their CAP payments? The reason that CAP payments have

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not been made is entirely due to the previous SNP Scottish Government.

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And any attempt to suggest that it was the EU is incorrect. I think

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that farmers and others know the benefits to Scotland of being in the

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EU and will vote to remain. If the UK were to withdraw from EU,

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what impact would this have on Scotland and the EU's relationship

:17:36.:17:39.

with Malawi, which I know my right honourable friend has recently been

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to? My honourable friend knows I did

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recently visit Malawi, and without being indiscreet I can firmly say

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that the Malawi Government are in favour of Scotland and the EU --

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Scotland and the UK remaining in the EU.

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There is very little evidence that Scotland wanted this story is you

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referendum. There only seems like a minority want to leave the EU. What

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is his message is the Secretary of State, when he has put this message

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to the Scottish people, if we are taken out of the EU, against our

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national collective will? Thank you, I think that is another

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positive campaigning point from the SNP. It is not for me to give the

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SNP advice. But if my vote had fallen by 500,000 between the

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General Election and the Scottish regional list, I would be focusing

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on getting my supporters out to vote on the 23rd of June, to ensure that

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Scotland votes to remain. We on these benches are delighted in

:18:50.:18:56.

the run up to the European Union referendum, the Scottish electorate

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has returned a pro-European SNP Government. Return with the highest

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vote of any party currently anywhere in the national elections anywhere

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in Western Europe. -- returned. Most people in Scotland are also very

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pleased that when given the opportunity as the Scottish

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electorate didn't return a single MSP from the Europhobic UK

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irrelevance party, and that there is a majority of the Scottish

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parliament for Scottish independence as a member... On the powerful case,

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Mr Speaker, for remaining, will the UK Government concentrate plays on

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making a positive and inspiring case to remain, rather than reheating

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endless scare stories? I think I have made it clear to the

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honourable gentleman that that is exactly what my intention is, and

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perhaps he could undertake today to stop obsessing about process and a

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second Scottish independence referendum, and concentrate himself

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entirely on the positive reasons for Scotland remaining in the EU.

:20:07.:20:12.

Scotch whiskey is the largest net goods exported to the European

:20:13.:20:16.

Union, both from Scotland and for the United Kingdom as a whole. Does

:20:17.:20:22.

the Secretary of State agree that the European single market is

:20:23.:20:27.

profoundly important and positive, for the ?1 billion trade, meaning

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that there is no need for customs forms, duplication of labelling and

:20:32.:20:36.

safety requirements, so will he stress the positive advantages to

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the whiskey industry, and all exporters from Scotland, to jobs and

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to profitability, by remaining within the European single market

:20:46.:20:48.

and EU? I am absolutely clear that -- what

:20:49.:20:55.

the honourable gentleman States is the case, and I am sure he will have

:20:56.:21:01.

welcomed the visit yesterday to Scotland by my right honourable

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friend the Secretary of State for Defra to stress the importance to

:21:05.:21:08.

the whiskey industry of remaining in the single market, and the

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particular points he makes about duplication in relation to

:21:13.:21:16.

labelling, certification and licensing -- licensing are ones

:21:17.:21:19.

which the Scotch Whisky association have made and I am sure the public

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will take into account when they vote in the referendum.

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With your permission, could I answer this question with question 11. This

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is an important sector, and that is why I am delighted that the

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Chancellor announced ?1 billion package in the budget, reducing

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headline rates of tax, major investment opportunities and

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encouragement and exploration, infrastructure, and of course a

:21:50.:21:53.

quarter of ?1 billion Aberdeen City Deal, along with the creation of an

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interministerial group specifically targeting the oil and gas sector.

:21:59.:22:04.

Does the Minister agree that we need a long-term approach to secure the

:22:05.:22:09.

future of the jobs in the oil and gas sector in the North Sea, and

:22:10.:22:13.

that part of the future is making sure the skills that have been

:22:14.:22:17.

developed over many decades are not lost? I couldn't agree with my

:22:18.:22:26.

honourable friend more. That is why as I say we have established an

:22:27.:22:30.

interministerial group specifically looking at this and many other

:22:31.:22:35.

issues, and we will shortly publish our workforce plan. The gas industry

:22:36.:22:43.

provides vital home-grown feed stocks to Britain's camel --

:22:44.:22:49.

chemical industry. Can the Minister assure us that the Government will

:22:50.:22:53.

continue to stake -- take steps to support as many jobs which depend on

:22:54.:23:00.

this sector? Of course, yes. I would like to pay tribute to my honourable

:23:01.:23:05.

friend for the work he does in relation to chemicals, it is a very

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important sector. I am very pleased to see the sort of work but they are

:23:10.:23:19.

doing to increase exports. Last week I raised concerns related to the

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transatlantic trade and investment partnership, and the threat to our

:23:24.:23:27.

public services, only for these to be dismissed by the Prime Minister

:23:28.:23:33.

as a red herring. Since then several high profile organisations including

:23:34.:23:40.

Unite have rebuked his claims. Will the Secretary of State make

:23:41.:23:43.

representations to the Prime Minister to insist on specific

:23:44.:23:48.

exemptions, to protect Scotland's NHS and public services? At this

:23:49.:23:54.

dispatch box I and other ministers repeatedly have said that these

:23:55.:24:02.

sorts of claims... I am waiting for the member to take his seat. This is

:24:03.:24:07.

absolute rubbish that the honourable lady puts forward, that my right

:24:08.:24:12.

honourable friend the Prime Minister is right, this is a red herring. I

:24:13.:24:17.

undertake to share with her all the letters from impartial sources, that

:24:18.:24:22.

have been written to support our contention that public services

:24:23.:24:25.

especially the NHS have no threat whatsoever from this, it is a good

:24:26.:24:33.

idea. The minister I am sure am aware of the anxiety of Scottish

:24:34.:24:37.

workers about reductions in investment in safety on shore, and

:24:38.:24:42.

the failure of companies to work cooperatively with trade unions

:24:43.:24:46.

safety representatives. What representation has she made on

:24:47.:24:51.

safety onshore? And can she reassure his constituents -- my constituents

:24:52.:24:55.

that the Government is on the case? I thank the honourable gentleman for

:24:56.:24:59.

his question, he makes some important points and I am more than

:25:00.:25:04.

happy to meet with him to discuss these, including any allegations

:25:05.:25:07.

that the unions are not being fully engaged with. I don't have any

:25:08.:25:11.

difficulty with trade unions, more than happy to discuss this important

:25:12.:25:17.

matter. Despite the worst elements... Thank you, Mr Speaker.

:25:18.:25:27.

The trade union act is now awaiting Royal assent. But it is about

:25:28.:25:31.

employment and industrial relations law, which will apply constant --

:25:32.:25:37.

consistently across the UK. We have engaged with the Scottish party --

:25:38.:25:40.

Government through the passage of the Bill, and we will carry on with

:25:41.:25:50.

that word. -- work. Despite the trade unions Bill's worst elements

:25:51.:25:55.

being watered down, it is still a bad Bill. Does the Secretary of

:25:56.:25:58.

State agree that a bad Bill will not make for good industrial relations

:25:59.:26:03.

in Scotland? I don't share the honourable gentleman's views at all,

:26:04.:26:08.

I think it is an excellent act, and I fully support it and its aims.

:26:09.:26:16.

Wales and Scotland have developed legislative memorandums on the trade

:26:17.:26:19.

union Bill on the basis that it clearly impinges on devolved

:26:20.:26:23.

competences. Does the Minister not now agree that the Bill should be

:26:24.:26:29.

subject to legislative content -- consent motions, and what action

:26:30.:26:32.

will be Government take to ensure that similar circumstances do not

:26:33.:26:39.

arise in a future? I think the honourable lady is not date on all

:26:40.:26:47.

of this. -- up-to-date. With the relegation of labour to third place

:26:48.:26:52.

in last week's Scottish elections, with the Minister agree that now

:26:53.:26:55.

would be the right time to introduce an opt in system, rather than it be

:26:56.:27:09.

the default position? Could I pay tribute to Ruth Davidson. Like the

:27:10.:27:14.

Prime Minister she is a moderate, sensible conservative, one nation

:27:15.:27:19.

Conservative. She has turned the skies of Scotland blue, with a

:27:20.:27:22.

rather pleasing tinge of pink at the edges. The Government made a number

:27:23.:27:33.

of concessions on the trade union act, but the act still seeks to

:27:34.:27:37.

undermine constrictive social partnership, and is at odds with the

:27:38.:27:41.

democratic will of the people of Scotland and Wales. Given that the

:27:42.:27:44.

Government says what it believes in mutual respect, will it now hold

:27:45.:27:50.

immediately discussions with devolved

:27:51.:28:03.

institutions? This act is good for Britain and

:28:04.:28:06.

trade unions, it is good for future working relations.

:28:07.:28:25.

This morning, I had meetings with ministers and colleagues and I will

:28:26.:28:32.

have further meetings today. Even fantastically corrupt Nigeria

:28:33.:28:37.

is asking Britain to clean up its act and introduce beneficial

:28:38.:28:39.

ownership registers in the overseas territories. We'll be Prime Minister

:28:40.:28:44.

achieve this tomorrow at the anti-corruption Summit? -- will be

:28:45.:28:53.

Prime Minister? I want to check the microphone is on before speaking. I

:28:54.:28:58.

thank him for his question. The answer is yes. We have asked three

:28:59.:29:01.

things of the

:29:02.:29:03.

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