Oral Answers to Questions

David Amess Excerpts

Wednesday 9th January 2013 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

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

1. What steps Ministers in his Department are taking to promote Scottish business overseas.

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

The Government have taken a range of actions to promote Scottish businesses overseas, including the appointment of Brian Wilson as a UK business ambassador. I have also held recent discussions with the Canadian Trade Minister and with business leaders in Canada and the USA.

[Mr Amess]

How many Scottish business leaders has the Secretary of State met who believe that the Scottish trading position will be improved if Scotland leaves the United Kingdom?

[Michael Moore]

No Scottish business leader has ever put that point to me, possibly because they recognise the strength of Scotland’s being in the United Kingdom and the fact that there are 162 UK Trade & Investment offices backed up by 270 consulates across the world.