Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts
Thursday 29th February 2024

(9 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Oliver Dowden Portrait Oliver Dowden
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We continue to monitor energy security, principally through the National Security Council resilience committee, which I chair. I say gently to the hon. Lady that if she is concerned about energy security, why does her party consistently vote against granting new licences for North sea oil and gas, which would enhance our energy security?

Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)
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Why do this Government think it is right that Church of England bishops in the House of Lords can have greater say on legislation affecting Scotland than the Scottish Parliament, and when will there ever be meaningful reform to the bloated House of Lords?

Alex Burghart Portrait Alex Burghart
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As the hon. Gentleman will have heard me say in a Westminster Hall debate not so long ago, it remains a great pity that the SNP refuses to play in the House of Lords. The fact is that the people of Scotland rejected the idea of an independent Scotland some time ago, and it would have been to the benefit of his constituents and others around Scotland if his party had had the good sense to ask for people to be put in the upper House.