Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Gethins Excerpts

Thursday 27th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

The short answer is no. The more elaborate answer is that employment rights in this country are better than the European Union minimum across the board. That is true of the average number of mandatory annual holidays and maternity rights, to give just two examples. I am afraid that we do not have an awful lot to learn from the European Union in that respect.

[Stephen Gethins (North East Fife) (SNP)]

After these questions, we go into a general election that, as the EU has already said, will make very little difference to its negotiations. It has a lot more to do with exploiting a civil war on the Labour Benches and preventing yet another civil war on the Tory Benches. In terms of workers’ rights, what about those who are currently in work? This week, Diageo announced that there could be 100 job losses in Scotland, with 70 in Leven. The union has described the company as

“hedging their bets over Brexit”

and the Government have been asleep at the wheel. Now, regarding the workers—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We just need one brief sentence. Spit it out, man.

[Stephen Gethins]

Well, I think the issue of job losses is very important. Will job losses be a priority?

[Mr Davis]

I suppose if there is one thing I should take lectures from the Scottish National party on, it is promoting civil conflict. If the hon. Gentleman’s question is whether our priority is the promotion of the economy, the answer is yes.

[Stephen Gethins]

The reason that the SNP is outpolling the Tories so highly is that we are united in getting behind workers’ rights and getting a decent deal in Europe. The Secretary of State has put aside these negotiations for narrow political benefit, which he will not have in Scotland. What is he going to do about these threats to jobs?

[Mr Davis]

We will seek the best possible deal to maintain our relationship with the European Union. Over and above that, we will seek the best possible deal with the rest of the world, which already gets 60% of our exports.