Oral Answers to Questions

Sheryll Murray Excerpts

Wednesday 19th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

5. What discussions he has had with Scottish businesses on opportunities for the private sector after the UK leaves the EU.

[Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con)]

7. What discussions he has had with Scottish businesses on opportunities for the private sector after the UK leaves the EU.

[The Minister for Trade and Investment (Greg Hands)]

The UK Government’s plan for Britain is intended to help businesses throughout the United Kingdom to trade beyond Europe, and to make Britain a leading advocate for free trade all over the world. Scotland Office Ministers have held more than 70 meetings with businesses across Scotland since last summer’s referendum, and only last month my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade was in Glasgow to meet innovative Scottish businesses that are trading with the world.

[Greg Hands]

We in the Department for International Trade are clear about the fact that ours is a Department for the whole United Kingdom. All our services are accessible to companies in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including the GREAT campaign and its portal GREAT.gov.uk, and the Tradeshow Access Programme. In recent months, there have been major announcements about more overseas investment in all parts of the UK.

[Mrs Murray]

Will my right hon. Friend tell us his view of the damage that would be caused to Scottish business if Scotland left the United Kingdom?

[Greg Hands]

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.