Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Pete Wishart Excerpts
Wednesday 27th October 2010

(14 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Moore Portrait Michael Moore
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I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for his unhesitating campaigning on this issue, but may I gently point out to him that the imminent publication of the Scotland Bill means that there will be more than a little chance to debate these issues?

Pete Wishart Portrait Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP)
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Does the Secretary of State not agree that the relationship between Westminster and the Scottish Government has gone from being one of respect to one of almost total contempt? Why will the UK Government not consult the Scottish Government in advance about very important constitutional issues?

Michael Moore Portrait Michael Moore
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I am absolutely astounded by the hon. Gentleman’s charge because, unlike the previous Government, we have gone out of our way to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that this takes place. [Interruption.] We cannot get around the fact that there are fundamental disagreements about the way we see the constitutional settlement developing, but I say to him that we have been sharing information and discussing things with his ministerial colleagues in Scotland regularly, and we will continue to do so—I hope that they will engage.