Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Linden Excerpts
Wednesday 10th July 2019

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Patrick Grady Portrait Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP)
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4. What assessment he has made of the merits of devolution over the last 20 years.

David Linden Portrait David Linden (Glasgow East) (SNP)
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8. What assessment he has made of the merits of devolution over the last 20 years.

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Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster
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Dearie me! The SNP need to stop misrepresenting the review. A key part of its terms of reference states that it will

“need to respect and support the current devolution settlement”.

It is about how the UK Government can work better with the devolved Assemblies and Governments. The SNP should be welcoming the review, instead of trying to foster yet another false grievance.

David Linden Portrait David Linden
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The Scottish and Welsh Governments recently wrote to the Minister expressing disappointment that 15 months on a review about intergovernmental relations has stalled owing to the Government’s unwillingness to make reforms. Will the Minister commit to addressing in detail each of the points in that letter, including the one on a strengthened dispute resolution process?

Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster
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Constructive discussions continue on the intergovernmental review and its structure, although it has been slightly hamstrung by the lack of a Government in Northern Ireland. We hope that that can be resolved in the near future. We will of course consider all submissions with respect, because ultimately we all need to agree the way forward.