Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Grant Excerpts
Wednesday 12th October 2016

(7 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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Exploration remains very important. The continental shelf is depleting. As the hon. Gentleman will know, the Government have taken some serious steps in Aberdeen with the city deal. I will not comment on the autumn statement, but it is an issue of some focus for the Government.

Peter Grant Portrait Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP)
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Since Question Time began this morning, five Members on the Scottish National party Benches have asked about membership of the European Union, and two have asked about Scottish jobs. Seven Members on the Conservative Benches wanted to talk about Scottish independence. Which group would the Secretary of State describe as being obsessed with independence?

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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I can do no better than to refer the hon. Gentleman to the words of Adam Smith, who said that the Union of 1707 was

“a measure from which infinite good has been derived”

for Scotland.