Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Harper Excerpts

Wednesday 12th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Chris Philp (Croydon South) (Con)]

3. What discussions he has had with businesses and trade bodies in Scotland on opportunities for overseas trade.

[Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) (Con)]

6. What discussions he has had with businesses and trade bodies in Scotland on opportunities for overseas trade.

[James Berry (Kingston and Surbiton) (Con)]

7. What discussions he has had with businesses and trade bodies in Scotland on opportunities for overseas trade.

--- Later in debate ---

[David Mundell]

I agree with my hon. Friend, and I believe that this Government and this country can be advocates around the world for free trade. Trade liberalisation between advanced economies can have a positive impact on the consumer, and that is what we want to see in Scotland and across the UK.

[Mr Harper]

Will the Secretary of State reassure the House that as he is conducting discussions around the world and engaging with British business, he gets the maximum opportunities for Scottish business, uses his opportunities to demonstrate that Scotland is better as part of the United Kingdom, and knocks on the head all this talk of independence that we incessantly hear from the Scottish National party?

[David Mundell]

I agree with my right hon. Friend. It is vital that we promote Scotland’s interests in that way, and do so working in conjunction with the Scottish Government. Both Governments have a role to play—in, for example, as the Scotch Whisky Association identified, developing new markets and promoting that product, which is vital to Scotland’s economy.