Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Lord Beith(9 years, 10 months ago)
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Mr Carmichael
There are many, many things for which the Scottish Government should apologise and I suspect that in the event that these apologies ever start coming, the right hon. Gentleman and I will not be at the top of the list to receive them. He is right, though, to point out that the freeze on council tax has caused real difficulties for many local authorities in Scotland, which will be outraged to see the size of the Scottish Government’s underspend this year.
Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD)
8. What discussions he has had with Scottish Government Ministers on the co-ordination of programmes to dual the A1.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Lord Beith(11 years, 1 month ago)
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Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD)
9. What recent discussions he has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on cross-border strategic roads.
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Carmichael)
My office keeps in regular contact with the Scottish Government on all transport issues concerning Scotland. The Government set out their commitment to a feasibility study on improvements to the A1 north of Newcastle. I am not aware of any such commitment on cross-border routes from the Scottish Government.
Sir Alan Beith
If Ministers want to give a very clear signal that England and Scotland are better together, may we have some tangible evidence before the referendum vote that the strategic road linking eastern England and Scotland will be dualled completely?
Mr Carmichael
I add my commendation to my right hon. Friend for the longevity and the quality of the service he has given to his constituents and to this House. He will know that we have already announced a feasibility study. That demonstrates our commitment to the case for further work. I am more than happy to work with him and with the Scottish Government if that is necessary in future.