SCottISH AFFAIRS CoMMIttEE

Baroness Laing of Elderslie Excerpts

Monday 15th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Owen Thompson]

I absolutely agree with that, and I certainly am delighted to see the Committee under the excellent stewardship of my hon. Friend the Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart). However, I want it recorded that I and my colleagues are disappointed that the opportunity has been missed for a change to the Committee’s membership to better reflect the outcome of the election in Scotland. I hope that, moving forward, the Government will consider that.

The Committee does much important work for Scotland. It is critical that it reflects the views of Scotland and is able to hear the views of Scotland. On that basis, another SNP Member on the Committee would certainly be a far fairer outcome. I emphasise again that this is absolutely nothing to do with the individual being nominated to the Committee; it is about the make-up of the Committee itself, which needs to be rectified.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

I take it that the hon. Gentleman is not actually objecting or calling for a Division.

[Owen Thompson]

indicated dissent.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

But he has used the opportunity to make his point. I am grateful to him for clarifying that.

Question put and agreed to.