Scottish Government: Discussions

Lord Reid of Cardowan Excerpts

Thursday 2nd May 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Duncan of Springbank]

I will certainly raise several of those issues. I do not think it will surprise my noble friend to know that Scottish Ministers themselves often raise these very issues. The meeting I had was focused rather more on the environment and farming; none the less, the issues he raises are important and they will be part of the ongoing debate between the Scottish and UK Governments.

[Lord Reid of Cardowan (Lab)]

My Lords, on the relationship between devolution and separation, referred to by the noble Lord, will the Minister confirm that after 17 years of devolution, when the Scottish people were asked to decide whether to separate from the United Kingdom or stay in it, they decisively decided to stay in it?

[Lord Duncan of Springbank]

The noble Lord is spot on. The Scottish people were very canny and very clever, and they voted very correctly.