Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Carol Monaghan Excerpts
Wednesday 26th June 2019

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Carol Monaghan Portrait Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)
- Hansard - -

15. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on diplomatic support for Assembly Members.

Kevin Foster Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Kevin Foster)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The UK Government’s extensive network of diplomatic staff regularly provides support to Welsh Ministers for overseas visits relating to devolved matters. However, we will not support activities intended to undermine the United Kingdom.

Carol Monaghan Portrait Carol Monaghan
- Hansard - -

Earlier this month, the Foreign Office blocked diplomatic assistance to the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland. In the light of this action, which was an affront to our democratically elected First Ministers, can the Secretary of State explain how this United Kingdom is a partnership of equals?

Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

We will always provide the extensive network of FCO posts abroad and the good offices of the Department for International Trade to support representations from devolved areas, but we will be a platform for the success of Wales, not for separatism in Scotland.