Oral Answers to Questions

David Amess Excerpts

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I will be taking an interest in the resolution of the West Lothian question. The hon. Gentleman agreed with Lord Derry Irving when he said that the only answer to the West Lothian question was not to ask it.

[Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

7. What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on the relationship between the Government and the Scottish Executive under the devolution settlement.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

I am regularly in contact with Ministers from the Scottish Government, including the First Minister, on a range of matters.

[Mr Amess]

I am delighted that the Prime Minister visited the Scottish Parliament on the third day of the new Government, unlike his predecessor who never visited there, but will the right hon. Gentleman have a word with the Prime Minister to encourage him to visit the Scottish Parliament again to have further discussions with the First Minister about the relationship between the Government and the Scottish Executive to see whether the new miracle cure for prostate cancer can be made available throughout England?

[Michael Moore]

I absolutely agree that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister took an important step when he visited the Scottish Parliament to meet the First Minister at such short notice after the coalition was formed. I understand the anguish, not just in Lockerbie and Scotland generally but across the world, about what happened in the course of the release of the Lockerbie bomber, but I believe that the medical decision was taken in good faith.