Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Stuart Andrew

Monday 14th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

The Ministry of Defence takes the safety of its people and the findings of the report extremely seriously. We are committed to addressing the shortfalls identified in the report. We have already taken action on some of the recommendations, and we will continue to ensure that we implement the report’s other recommendations.

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

4. What recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the future deployment of coalition forces in Syria.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Stuart Andrew

Wednesday 6th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

That is very kind of you, Mr Speaker. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is also attending the joint ministerial group on welfare this Thursday, where all these issues are discussed regularly.

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

Yesterday, I was told by a senior member of the Scottish Prison Service management that discharged prisoners in Scotland are now routinely taken to food banks because prison staff know that the six-week lead-in time for universal credit payments will lead to their using food banks. Does that fact alone not illustrate why the roll-out needs to be paused?

[Stuart Andrew]

As the right hon. Gentleman will know, we made some changes in the Budget, which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor, following the raising of many of the issues. I should also point out that the Scottish Government do have powers of their own; if they feel they should make further discretionary payments to individuals in Scotland, they have the powers to do so. They have not done so yet.