Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Wednesday 19th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con)]

5. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the prospect of a currency union with an independent Scotland.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

6. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the prospect of a currency union with an independent Scotland.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the prospect of a currency union with an independent Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Carmichael]

Indeed. If Scotland made herself a foreign country to the rest of the United Kingdom, there would be no question of the Bank of England and the taxpayers who underpin it continuing to stand behind banks headquartered in that foreign country. That simply does not happen. As we have already explained, a number of financial services and banking companies north of the border have rightly identified that as a risk to their continued future governance.

[Andrew Bridgen]

Following the First Minister’s admission at the weekend that his own fiscal commission working group is looking at not only a plan B but a plan C, D, E and F, is it not the truth that the Scottish National party can offer no certainty for the people of Scotland about currency provision for an independent Scotland? They cannot keep the pound, because—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman has had his say, but it did not remotely resemble a question.