Oral Answers to Questions

John Lamont Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen Wales’s place in the Union.

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

9. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen Wales’s place in the Union.

[Chris Kane (Stirling and Strathallan) (Lab)]

10. What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen Wales’s place in the Union.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Kinnock]

We are tremendously proud of our Welsh language. I am certainly signing up to improve mine—from what I am embarrassed to admit is a relatively low base. I enjoy learning languages, so I will be doing that. Generally speaking, we need to ensure that the trend towards Welsh medium and Welsh language across our education system continues, and that those who are committed to the diversity of which the right hon. Gentleman speaks also commit to learning the Welsh language.

[John Lamont]

Strong transport links between the nations of our United Kingdom are vital to strengthening the Union. However, since Loganair withdrew its regular Cardiff to Edinburgh service earlier this year, there is now no direct air link between the Welsh and Scottish capitals. Does the Secretary of State agree that this is a backwards step for connectivity in the UK, and will he work with the Transport Secretary, the Welsh and Scottish Governments and Loganair to see if that route can be reinstated?

[Stephen Kinnock]

Cardiff airport plays a crucial role in connecting our United Kingdom. We of course want the maximum number of flight routes between Cardiff and the rest of the UK. Loganair, as a commercial operator, makes decisions on the basis of the commercial realities it is facing. If the hon. Gentleman would like to write to me with any ideas he has about how we might get back to the table on the issue, I would be happy to engage on that basis.