Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, 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 a future UK-EU science research framework.

We have been clear from the start that the Scottish Government should be fully engaged in our exit from the EU. The UK Government’s paper, Collaboration on Science and Innovation: A Future Partnership Paper, provides a basis for further discussion, including with the Scottish Government, on the future partnership the UK wants to build with the EU. This includes any future participation in both EU and Euratom research programmes. There are many areas of alignment between this paper and the Scottish White Paper on the benefits of continued research collaboration with the EU. We are committed to positive and productive engagement with the Scottish Government going forward as we seek a deal that works for the entire United Kingdom.