All 1 Debates between James Sunderland and Alister Jack

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Sunderland and Alister Jack
Wednesday 12th February 2020

(4 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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The hon. Gentleman makes a very fair point. One of the things the UK should look at, for future infrastructure and shared prosperity, is building that interconnector.

James Sunderland Portrait James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
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3. What recent economic assessment his Department has made of the value of trade between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Greg Smith Portrait Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con)
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12. What recent economic assessment his Department has made of the value of trade between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Alister Jack Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)
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Busy day—[Hon. Members: “Ah.”] It appears I have woken a few people up.

Scottish exports to the rest of the UK increased in 2018 by £1.2 billion to £51.2 billion. As a result, the rest of the UK continues to be Scotland’s largest market for exports, accounting for three times the value of exports to the European Union.

James Sunderland Portrait James Sunderland
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Given the Secretary of State’s assessment, will he confirm that Scotland’s trade with the rest of the UK is worth more than three times that with the EU, and this is only one of the benefits on offer of being part of the United Kingdom, not least for British firms?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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The Scottish Government’s own figures show that Scotland’s most important trading partner is the rest of the UK and, as my hon. Friend said, that is worth more than three times the trade with the other 27 EU countries combined. In other words, the Scottish Government’s figures show that over 60% of Scotland’s exports go to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Indeed, I would argue that this is just one of the many benefits that Scotland has from being part of the United Kingdom.