Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Cat Smith and Alister Jack

Wednesday 6th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

7. What assessment he has made of the potential implications of allegations of impropriety in public life for his Department's work on strengthening the Union.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

Our Union is strong. [Interruption.] Yes, it is. Scotland’s contribution to our United Kingdom is beyond doubt, and this Government’s commitment to Scotland is without question. From freeports and investment zones to the record block grant and £1.5 billion for the 12 city and region growth deals, we deliver for Scotland.

[Cat Smith]

SNP MPs have been disengaged from Westminster for years. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is a disgrace that its deputy leader has said that its MPs will not engage should the party win seats at the next general election? Does he also agree that Members elected to this House should turn up and do their job?

[Mr Jack]

I agree with the hon. Lady.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Cat Smith and Alister Jack

Wednesday 22nd February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

The Prime Minister put integrity at every level in this Government when he came in, and he acted decisively in appointing an independent ethics adviser. When he received the report on the incident the hon. Gentleman refers to, he acted immediately.

[Cat Smith]

In Scotland and across the UK, Parliament is being dragged down by Tory and SNP sleaze and impropriety. In Holyrood, Committees have been ignored, processes have been run over roughshod, and the responsibility to be truly accountable to both Parliaments, the press and the public has been ignored by Ministers of both Governments. Does the Secretary of State not agree that we need a reformed and renewed constitution across the country that is fit for a democratised United Kingdom?

[Mr Jack]

I did not catch all of that, but I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave earlier. There is a ministerial code that sets standards of behaviour for Ministers, and Ministers are personally responsible for how they conduct themselves. Ultimately, the Prime Minister is the judge and I think he is a man of integrity. I trust him to make the right decisions.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Cat Smith and Alister Jack

Wednesday 12th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the renewable energy sector in Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

My Department has regular engagement with colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on a range of issues relevant to Scotland, including the renewable energy sector.

[Cat Smith]

Scotland has a huge geographical advantage when it comes to wave and tidal energy, with reports suggesting that up to 40,000 jobs could be created in the sector if it had Government support. What work is being done in Government to explore wave and tidal technology?

[Mr Jack]

The hon. Lady is right; we have an advantage with that and with our wind speeds, mountains and hydro schemes. The Government are supporting technology. Wave and tidal technology is being investigated in universities, and we are completely behind that, should it prove to work.