Oral Answers to Questions

Margaret Ferrier Excerpts

Thursday 7th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Rory Stewart]

We are looking closely at what Australia and France are doing. We have been working on a common EU-US position in order to change practices in Africa. It makes a huge difference that we do this together as 700 million people in the EU and the US rather than trying to do it individually.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)]

Following the EU referendum vote, we have no idea how the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking will be implemented by the UK Government. Is the Minister in a position to provide any assurances to the House today?

[Rory Stewart]

As my colleague the Minister of State has pointed out, the details of our position in relation to Europe will have to be determined by a future Prime Minister, but we played a very active role in drafting that plan and pushing for its contents. The hon. Lady will see in what we are doing in Vietnam our commitment to that plan. I reassure her that, certainly as long as I am in this position, the UK’s position is absolutely unequivocal.

--- Later in debate ---

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (SNP)]

In advance of the Scottish independence referendum, the Government published “Scotland’s Future”—a comprehensive White Paper and blueprint for how the transition to independence would be managed. The complete lack of a coherent plan from the leave campaign and the chaos that has ensued has highlighted a huge disparity. What is the Government’s position on manifestos for referendums?

[Mr Streeter]

Certainly, prior to 9 September, I do not speak for the Government, and therefore it is not a matter for the Electoral Commission.