Oral Answers to Questions

David Warburton Excerpts

Wednesday 19th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Greg Hands]

I am certainly glad that the hon. Gentleman has raised the question of oil and gas in Scotland: I know that he and I will agree that what would be most disastrous for the Scottish economy, including the oil and gas sector, would be Scottish separation, leading to an overnight budget deficit of around 9% of GDP. That would be a disaster.

[David Warburton (Somerton and Frome) (Con)]

6. What assessment he has made of the contribution of the UK single market to Scotland.

[Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con)]

9. What assessment he has made of the contribution of the UK single market to Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)]

Sales from Scotland to the rest of the UK are now worth nearly £50 billion, an increase of over 70% since 2002 and four times the value of exports from Scotland to the EU. There is no doubt that the United Kingdom is the vital Union for Scotland.

[David Warburton]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best deal for Scotland is to stay part of the United Kingdom and to work with the UK Government to do all it can to support a new free trade agreement with the EU?

[David Mundell]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend.