Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on incentivising migrants to work in key industries in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
We are taking a joined up-approach across government, linking migration policy and visa controls to skills and labour market policies – so immigration is not used as an alternative to training or tackling workforce problems here at home. We value the important contribution made by workers from overseas, but we need to consider issues in the round, and work with industries to ensure they can attract the workforces they need for the future. To achieve this we are strengthening the Migration Advisory Committee, and establishing a framework for joint working with skills bodies across the UK, the Industrial Strategy Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on incentivising migrants to work in key industries in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have had frequent discussions with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland and have been clear that immigration should not be used as an alternative to training or tackling workforce problems here at home. We value the important contribution made by workers from overseas, but we need to consider issues in the round, and work with industries to ensure they can attract the workforces they need for the future. To achieve this we are strengthening the Migration Advisory Committee, and establishing a framework for joint working with skills bodies across the UK, the Industrial Strategy Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list any overseas visits he has undertaken since June 2017 with dates of departure from and return to the UK.
Answered by David Mundell
Details of Ministerial visits and overseas travel are published quarterly and are available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his Department spending more UK-wide expenditure outwith the Barnett formula in Scotland over the last twelve months.
Answered by David Mundell
I meet with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of matters that relate to Scotland.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the position paper, Confidentiality and Access to Documents, published on 21 August 2017, what discussions the Government has had with the Scottish Government on the handling by the EU of information produced while the UK was an EU member state after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by David Mundell
The Scottish Government and the UK Government are working together to ensure we get the best deal for Scotland and the whole of the UK as we exit the EU. This position paper was published ahead of the last negotiating round and we have carried out positive and productive engagement with the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Government's policy paper, Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper, published on 6 September 2017, what discussions he has had with Scottish universities and the Royal Society of Edinburgh on the devolution of powers over research and innovation to Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
I regularly meet with stakeholders across Scotland to listen, exchange views and address concerns and will continue to do so to ensure that all sectors can take full advantage of the new opportunities that Brexit will bring. The government has been clear that leaving the EU will result in a significant increase in the decision-making powers of the devolved administrations.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Government's policy paper, Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper, published on 6 September 2017, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the devolution of powers over research and innovation to Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
The Scottish Government and the UK Government are working together to ensure we get the best deal for Scotland and the whole of the UK as we exit the EU. The government has been clear that we expect leaving the EU to result in a significant increase in the decision-making powers of the devolved administrations.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Government's policy paper, Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper, published on 6 September 2017, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the devolution of powers over research and innovation to Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
I regularly meet with Cabinet colleagues to discuss all issues relating to the UK’s exit from the EU.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations his Department has received from industry on the effect on the Scottish health and life science sectors of the European Medicines Agency headquarters leaving the UK.
Answered by David Mundell
Following the EU Referendum, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Dunlop, and I have had over 100 meetings with stakeholders, including representatives from the Scottish financial industry, to discuss EU-exit related issues.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations his Department has received from industry on the effect on the Scottish financial industry of the European Banking Agency headquarters leaving the UK.
Answered by David Mundell
Following the EU Referendum, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Dunlop, and I have had over 100 meetings with stakeholders, including representatives from the Scottish financial industry, to discuss EU-exit related issues.