Oral Answers to Questions

Brendan O'Hara Excerpts

Wednesday 25th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

9. What his Department’s policy is on using social media consultancies.

[Brendan O'Hara (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)]

11. What his Department’s policy is on using social media consultancies.

--- Later in debate ---

[David Mundell]

I have clearly answered the point that the hon. Gentleman’s colleague, the hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Neil Gray), raised, and if he has specific suggestions that the very clear rules under which the Government operate have been breached, I would like to hear them. But it is very clear, for example, that the Scottish Government target specific audiences, and if he is saying that they do not, I would be very surprised to hear that.

[Brendan O'Hara]

We have been told that the Scotland Office published numerous Facebook posts to coincide with Government visits, but it appears that only the posts relating to the Secretary of State’s constituency received a financial boost. If that is the case and the Scotland Office is seen to be micro-targeting tailored Facebook adverts only on voters in his constituency, does he consider that a misuse of taxpayers’ money and an abuse of power?

[David Mundell]

The hon. Gentleman does have a track record of asking questions when he does not know what the answer is going to be. I return very clearly to the point that, if there are specific suggestions that the code under which the Government operate has been breached, they should be made and taken forward in the proper way. But if the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that the Scottish Government do not target specific individuals with their material, he is misleading this House.