Contributions
637 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSanitary and Phytosanitary MeasuresMy Lords, our membership of CPTPP is facilitated by our ownership of the Pitcairn Islands. Can the noble Baroness confirm that the Government are not planning to give that island…04 Sept 2025HANSARDSanitary and Phytosanitary MeasuresMy Lords—04 Sept 2025HANSARDGrangemouth Oil Refinery Closure: Job LossesMy Lords, I think the Minister said that there had not been a ministerial visit to Grangemouth in the last 13 years; I certainly went to Grangemouth as Secretary of State for…03 Jul 2025HANSARDChild Sexual Abuse and Rape Gangs InquiryWill the grooming gangs inquiry include Scotland, and, if not, why not?18 Jun 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial BaseMy Lords—16 Jun 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial BaseMy Lords—16 Jun 2025HANSARDWildfiresMy Lords, it is a very great honour for me to be standing here today. I thank my noble friend Lord Caithness not only for proposing this debate but for his excellent speech. I…12 Jun 2025HANSARDDefence SpendingScotland Office Ministers have regular discussions with the Ministry of Defence on all matters relating to defence. Defence spending contributes significantly to delivering…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024We have again seen calamitous events in Scotland this week. However, I wish Humza Yousaf very well for the future. I always found him to be a very decent man to work with, and…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024The hon. Lady’s point would be relevant if that report were not from 2018-19, long before we entered into six tax bands in Scotland, versus three in the rest of the UK. I…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024That is a ridiculous remark. The levelling-up agenda in Scotland has been fantastically successful, and there has been absolutely no austerity. The Scottish Government have…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024In the fiscal framework settlement, we made it very clear and agreed with the Scottish Government that resource funding could be reallocated, if they so wished, from the record…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024My right hon. Friend makes a good point. I am well aware, as are businesses in Dumfries and Galloway, that having six tax bands in Scotland but three in the rest of the UK is not…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the tax burden in Scotland is too high and rising, and people are paying more and getting less. Fortunately, the UK Government have taken the…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024We absolutely do not fear an election, whether for Holyrood or a general election. As I watch the nationalists implode again, I say, “Bring it on.” I hear them say the same from a…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024As I have said before, we have a record block grant. It is running over a three-year period and it averages out at £41.6 billion, and then there are Barnett consequentials added…01 May 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024Of course I do not agree with those figures. Public services in Scotland are in a desperate state. In their recent Budget, the Scottish Government froze council tax, thereby…01 May 2024HANSARDDefence SpendingThe short answer is that the increased investment announced by the Prime Minister will be focused on firing up the UK industrial base. The whole United Kingdom will benefit from…01 May 2024HANSARDDefence SpendingMy hon. Friend is absolutely correct. It is the Conservatives who are trusted to defend the whole of the United Kingdom. The SNP has consistently proposed abandoning our nuclear…01 May 2024HANSARDDefence SpendingThe hon. Lady is absolutely right. As the father of a serving soldier, I completely agree with her. I hear from members of the military that they are disappointed with the…01 May 2024