Oral Answers to Questions

John Lamont Excerpts

Thursday 6th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is past 10.30 am and we need to get through some more questions.

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

5. Whether she has had meetings with her counterparts in the devolved Administrations since taking office.

[The Solicitor General]

This Government are committed to strengthening relations with devolved Governments and fostering greater collaboration, built on mutual respect and trust. As the hon. Member would expect, the Law Officers very regularly meet our counterparts to discuss our shared priorities.

[John Lamont]

The Scottish National party’s deposit return scheme was a complete shambles, which the last Conservative Government stopped, preventing it from hurting Scottish businesses with more regulation and higher costs. The SNP Government are now facing legal action over the scheme, with businesses seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in compensation. I appreciate that the Solicitor General cannot comment on a live case, but will she confirm that the SNP Government will be solely responsible for any costs that may be incurred in handling the case?

[The Solicitor General]

The hon. Member is right that I cannot comment on the specific matter that he raises, but I am happy to look at it and to write to him.