Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Atherton Excerpts
Wednesday 10th March 2021

(3 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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This deal will be welcomed by businesses on both sides of the Atlantic because it will hopefully bring an end to harmful tit-for-tat tariffs. I agree with my hon. Friend, but to add to the point, the rest of the United Kingdom continues to be Scotland’s largest market for exports. It accounts for more than 60% of all Scotland’s trade.

Sarah Atherton Portrait Sarah Atherton (Wrexham) (Con)
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What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential opportunities for Scotland arising from COP26.

Ben Everitt Portrait Ben Everitt (Milton Keynes North) (Con)
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What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential opportunities for Scotland arising from COP26.

David Duguid Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Duguid)
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The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the opportunities COP26 offers Scotland, including through the COP26 Devolved Administrations Ministerial Group. The group brings together the COP President, territorial Secretaries of State and Ministers from the devolved Administrations to support the delivery of an inclusive and welcoming COP26 summit in Glasgow.

Sarah Atherton Portrait Sarah Atherton [V]
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Over the past year, many of our national celebrations have been curtailed due to covid. Companies that have accrued decades of specialist event management skills have been severely compromised and risk collapse. However, COP26, with its opening and closing ceremonies, offers the opportunity to showcase the splendour, heritage and culture of our four nations, our one Union. Does my hon. Friend agree that events companies and charities, such as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, have all that is required to show the world what a good Scottish hooley looks like?

David Duguid Portrait David Duguid
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I completely agree with that last point. Certainly, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, if you have not seen it yourself, Mr Speaker, is a sight to behold. We are working closely in partnership with the Scottish Government and a range of partners to assess the implications of covid-19 for COP26. We want to showcase the best of the UK at COP26 and have recently concluded a process for stakeholders to express their interest in being involved in UK Government-managed spaces to support our objective of making COP26 inclusive and representative of the whole United Kingdom.