Wednesday Volume 612 6 July 2016 No. 21 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 6 July 2016 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2016 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 863 6 JULY 2016 864 Ian Murray: Standard Life, one of the largest private House of Commons employers in Scotland, ceased trading in its UK property fund this week, and the Governor of the Bank of Wednesday 6 July 2016 England has said that the consequences of Brexit are beginning to crystallise. Given that financial services are 7% of Scotland’s GDP and employ tens of thousands The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock of my constituents, what reassurances was the Secretary of State able to give businesses yesterday that not one job will be lost because of the Conservative gamble with PRAYERS this country? David Mundell: May I begin by commending the hon. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Gentleman for his service as shadow Scottish Secretary? No one knows better than me how difficult it is to be BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS your party’s sole representative from Scotland in this House and be shadow Scottish Secretary. He performed the role with great distinction, and I am particularly REPORT OF THE IRAQ INQUIRY grateful for his work to ensure the passage of the Resolved, Scotland Act 2016 in this place. He will be pleased to That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That know that when I met business leaders yesterday Standard she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid Life was represented. One point that its representatives before this House a Return of a Paper, entitled The Report of the made, which is important for discussions on the future Iraq Inquiry, dated 6 July 2016, and a Return of a Paper, entitled of the Scottish economy, is how important the market The Report of the Iraq Inquiry: Executive Summary, dated 6 July 2016.—(Stephen Barclay.) outwith Europe is, as well as the market within Europe. Standard Life did not wish us to lose focus on the many business opportunities it pursues, in north America in particular. Oral Answers to Questions Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): When will my right hon. Friend lay out the exciting opportunities SCOTLAND there are for Scotland as a result of leaving the European Union for the wider world? The Secretary of State was asked— David Mundell: Obviously when I met Scottish businesses EU Referendum I wanted them to address the opportunities for business. I have just referred to a leading Scottish company with 1. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): What assessment significant interests outwith the EU, but businesses in he has made of the potential effect on the economy in Scotland are naturally concerned to understand the Scotland over the next five years of the outcome of the arrangements that will be put in place for our future EU referendum. [905593] relationship with the EU. 6. Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): What assessment Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): In Scotland more he has made of the effect on the economy in Scotland of than 62% of voters voted to remain in the European the outcome of the EU referendum. [905598] Union. Since then the Scottish Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to support First Minister Nicola Sturgeon The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell): in her efforts to protect Scotland’s place in Europe. That The Scottish economy faces a number of challenges as a was voted for by the Scottish National party, the Labour result of the vote to leave the EU. Yesterday I began a party, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Green process of direct engagement with Scottish business party. The Tories abstained. Will the Secretary of State leaders to ensure that their voice is heard in the forthcoming finally join the cross-party consensus to protect our negotiations. economy and our place in Europe, or will he abstain like his colleagues? Nic Dakin: I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. Now that the Brexit decision has been made, David Mundell: The right hon. Gentleman omits one does he think that it will be easier for the Scottish and fact. My colleagues were unable to support his party’s UK Governments to support the Scottish steel industry motion because the SNP would not take the toxic and in tackling things like energy costs, procurement and divisive issue of a second independence referendum off business rates? the table. Anyone who wants to unify opinion in Scotland does not start talking about a second Scottish independence David Mundell: Regardless of the vote, the two referendum. I hope the First Minister was listening Governments must continue to work together to support yesterday to Scottish businesses when they said decisively the industry. The Scottish Government have taken steps in relation to discussions about the EU that they did not in relation to the two plants in Scotland, very much want to hear about Scottish independence. supported by me and the Scotland Office and the UK Government. We will continue that support, and the Angus Robertson: Tens of thousands of European Scottish Government will play a part in the steel council Union citizens play a massive role in our economy and that has been established. society in Scotland. The Scottish National party wants 865 Oral Answers6 JULY 2016 Oral Answers 866 to do more than just pay tribute to them; we want them 2. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): What discussions to have guarantees that they can stay in Scotland. Will he has had with the Scottish Government on the outcome the Secretary of State act in the Scottish and European of the EU referendum. [905594] interest, and guarantee the rights of fellow EU citizens to remain in Scotland, and end the intolerable worry 3. Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP): and concern with which they are being confronted? What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on David Mundell: I share the right hon. Gentleman’s Scotland. [905595] view of the important role that EU citizens play in Scotland, and we want them to stay in Scotland and 4. Ian Blackford (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (SNP): have their position guaranteed. We also want British What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government citizens in the rest of Europe to have their right to stay on the effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on there guaranteed, and I hope that it will be possible to Scotland. [905596] issue both guarantees. 5. Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con): What discussions Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): May I start by he has had with the Scottish Government on the outcome echoing the compliments paid to my predecessor, my of the EU referendum. [905597] hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray)? He will be a hard act to follow. 9. Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): Sitting opposite the Secretary of State reminds me of What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government the many good times that I have spent in his constituency on the effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on in the great town of Moffat. Friends of mine from Scotland. [905601] Moffat, John and Heather, live on the Old Carlisle Road, where they have a small family farm and a The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell): business. They want to know what guarantees have been Since the outcome of the EU referendum, both the given about the future of payments that they receive as Prime Minister and I have had discussions with Scottish part of the common agricultural policy, and what benefit Government Ministers, and we will continue to do so they can expect from the £350 million a week that senior over the coming weeks and months. As the Prime members of the Government promised we would get Minister has made clear, we will fully involve the Scottish back from the European Union to fund the NHS. How Government and other devolved Administrations as we much of that can we expect to go to Scotland and, prepare for negotiations with the European Union. crucially, when can we expect to see it? Andrew Stephenson: Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should respect the outcome of the democratic David Mundell: I welcome the hon. Gentleman to his process, even if some do not agree with the result? position, and he is welcome in Moffat any time he wants. I have performed his role in the past, but when I did so there were 41 Scottish MPs opposite me, and David Mundell: I am clear that the majority of people 15 months later it has come to this. CAP payments will across the United Kingdom voted for the UK to leave be subject to negotiations, and as someone who argued the European Union, and that decision must be for a remain vote, I made it clear to farmers in Scotland implemented. In doing so, we must secure the best that there would be a degree of uncertainty if there was possible deal for Scotland and the rest of the United a vote to leave. As a result of our withdrawal from the Kingdom. EU, responsibility for agriculture will now rest directly with the Scotland Parliament. Martyn Day: Will the Secretary of State confirm that it is the UK Government’s intention to invite the Scottish Government to participate directly in the EU negotiations? Mr Anderson: I do not think that John and Heather will be reassured by the Secretary of State’s response, David Mundell: I confirm that the Scottish Government and I note that he did not answer my question on the will be at the heart of the negotiation process.