Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on freeports.

Freeports will attract new businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities up and down the country.

Last month, I met with the Scottish Government a few days before they publicly announced their intention to work with the UK Government to launch a Freeports bidding process in Scotland before the end of March.

I strongly welcome that announcement and look forward to bringing the benefits of Freeports to Scotland.