Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Monaghan Excerpts
Wednesday 19th April 2017

(7 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Greg Hands Portrait Greg Hands
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My hon. Friend has hit the nail on the head. If Scotland were to leave the UK, the potential damage to Scottish business and Scottish trade would be huge. The Scottish Government’s own figures show that 64% of goods and services leaving Scotland go to the UK, whereas only 15% go to the rest of the EU. That is £49.8 billion versus £12.3 billion.

Paul Monaghan Portrait Dr Paul Monaghan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (SNP)
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What assessment has the Minister made of Scotland’s contribution to the EU single market?

Greg Hands Portrait Greg Hands
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I think the hon. Gentleman is missing the point. The point, surely, is the centrality and importance of the UK single market as we go forward from here. I will give the House the figures again: £49.8 billion goes to the rest of the UK; only £12.3 billion goes to the EU. It is clear that the Union that matters most is the United Kingdom.