Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Shannon and Alister Jack

Wednesday 6th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

I think I heard “smoked salmon”, but this is not just about smoked salmon. The most recent figures show that Scotland’s world-leading food and drink sector accounted for 29% of all UK food and drink exports. To help the sector to continue to flourish, the Government have secured trade agreements with 71 non-EU countries and the EU. Total UK trade with those partners is worth £808 billion.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Scotland’s food export—[Interruption.]

[Jim Shannon]

Some of Scotland’s food export companies have been prevented from trading with Northern Ireland. The InterTrade UK body has been set up as a result of discussions that have taken place. What are the Minister and his Department doing to ensure that the companies that have stopped trading with Northern Ireland are encouraged to start doing so again?

[Mr Jack]

In the UK Command Paper, we said that we are setting up the East-West Council, which will work to bring about the solutions.

Scotland Act 1998: Section 35 Power

Debate between Jim Shannon and Alister Jack

Tuesday 17th January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

This is beyond parody. Democracy is what the Scotland Act is. Section 35 is in the Scotland Act. The SNP voted for the Scotland Act with section 35 in it. It is a democratic instrument.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I thank the Minister for his statement and agree that women and girls must be protected and safeguarded. He will be aware that a precedent was set for the circumnavigation of devolution when the UK Government brought in abortion on demand legislation for Northern Ireland. With great respect to my colleagues and friends—I call the hon. Members representing Scotland my friends—I do not recall those hon. Members defending the cause of Northern Ireland then. Will the Minister confirm that that precedent, supported by many who are opposing this decision today, means that the Government retain the right to step in on what they deem to be questions of equality or human rights?

[Mr Jack]

I am not an expert on the Northern Ireland Bills, so I will not stray into that area, but we have been advised that protections and safeguards for women and children need to be looked in light of those adverse effects. That is what we are dealing with through section 35 of the Scotland Act.

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

Debate between Jim Shannon and Alister Jack

Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

The judges have quite clearly rejected the Scottish Government’s argument that they can hold a second referendum. Legal authority lies with the UK here, in this place. There have been clear attempts to manipulate devolution. With the rise in the cost of living and the increasing evils of the Putin regime, does the Minister agree that what is needed now is a campaign and a strategy to illustrate the advantages of the Union, showing that we are stronger together? We must focus on strengthening the Union, our economy and our joint prosperity.

[Mr Jack]

Yes. I made those points in my opening remarks and I totally agree with the hon. Gentleman.