Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Scotland Act to provide that a referendum be arranged in the situation where there is a consensus in Scotland for independence.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
In 2014, there was agreement in the UK parliament and the Scottish parliament, across all political parties, and across civic society, that there should be a referendum. There is no such consensus now. In that referendum, the people of Scotland made clear their continued commitment to Scotland remaining part of the UK.
As set out in the manifesto which saw this government win a majority of UK parliamentary seats in Scotland, this Government does not support independence or another referendum.
Our focus now must be on delivery, not division. This UK Government is focused entirely on delivering in the national interest.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will set out the required steps for an independence referendum in Scotland.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
This Government was elected on a clear commitment not to support independence or another referendum. People need and want their governments focused on the big issues our country faces - economic growth, the cost of living, public services and security. That is what this Government is doing.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will set out the the conditions under which the Government would grant permission for Scotland to hold another Independence Referendum.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
This Government was elected on a clear commitment not to support independence or another referendum. People need and want their governments focused on the big issues our country faces - economic growth, the cost of living, public services and security. That is what this Government is doing.