Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jerome Mayhew and Alister Jack

Wednesday 1st May 2024 Commons Chamber

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland) (Con)]

11. What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the protection of free speech in Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

This Government are committed to protecting free speech. It is the responsibility of the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament, working with Police Scotland, to ensure that the hate crime legislation is implemented and enforced in a way that protects freedom of speech and has the confidence of people in Scotland.

[Jerome Mayhew]

The Scottish Government’s Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force this month and is already having a chilling impact on free speech. What lessons can the UK Government learn from the introduction of this poor legislation in Scotland?

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

Debate between Jerome Mayhew and Alister Jack

Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

Because this Government believe that the Scottish people’s priority is to see their two Governments working together in a collaborative and constructive partnership.

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland) (Con)]

The SNP mistakes its obsession with independence for the obsession of the people of Scotland. As we have already heard, that is simply not the case. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, rather than going down the rabbit hole of creating a constitutional crisis, all our constituents, north and south of the border, want us to focus on making our public services work? That is an area in which the SNP conspicuously fails.

[Mr Jack]

My hon. Friend makes a salient point, and he is absolutely right. The Scottish people want good public services delivered to them by a Scottish Government focused on the things that were devolved to Holyrood.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jerome Mayhew and Alister Jack

Wednesday 20th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jack]

The hon. Gentleman might be jumping the gun on that, because discussions are ongoing between the Whips Office and the House authorities. I want to make it clear to him that we are not going to put anyone at risk. However, we have to recognise that if we are asking schools to go back and the public to go back to work, we should lead by example, and we should return to a covid-safe—I emphasise that: covid-safe—working environment.

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland) (Con)]

What recent discussions he has had with the Education Secretary in the Scottish Government on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on Scottish universities.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

Higher Education in Scotland is, for the most part, a devolved responsibility. However, the UK Government very much recognise the difficulties faced by students, staff, and institutions across the UK, and we are working closely with the sector. The Department for Education has been engaging closely with ministerial and official colleagues in Scotland to discuss a range of higher education areas affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

[Jerome Mayhew [V]]

Further and higher education needs to adapt to the long-term consequences of covid-19 in much the same way as our schools and other public services do. Although the crisis has taught us how well long-distance learning can be employed, will my right hon. Friend agree to discuss with the Scottish Government how such lessons can be implemented in the future to provide valuable education and, importantly, value for money for undergraduates and postgraduates?

[Mr Jack]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The Department for Education has been engaging closely with ministerial and official colleagues in Scotland to discuss a range of higher education areas that are affected by covid-19. I am also pleased to say that the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Moray (Douglas Ross), is meeting Universities Scotland’s funding policy group later this week.