Scotland Office

Latest News • Commons Appearances • Legislation • Select Committee • Publications • Written Questions

The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland supports the Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

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Secretary of State

Rt Hon Alister Jack MP
Secretary of State for Scotland

Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State

Mr Robin Walker MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office) (jointly with the Northern Ireland Office)

Shadow Ministers

Shadow Secretaries

(Liberal Democrat)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Scotland)
Mhairi Black MP (Scottish National Party)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Scotland)

Latest News (from Department Twitter Feed)

22 Jan 2020, 10 a.m.: The UK is working to protect people and the planet. Watch to find out how an Edinburgh onion-based project is part of this. 🌱 Find out more ➡️https://t.co/ZZDc3ojt4W https://t.co/rqKRc9aG8G - Link
21 Jan 2020, 1 p.m.: More than 135,800 applications in Scotland have been made to the EU Settlement Scheme. It’s free, simple and #EUcitizens in Scotland have until 30 June 2021 to apply. #SettledStatus #Brexit Find out more and apply now: https://t.co/sf2tAyJo01 https://t.co/QHZaMVX2rG - Link

Scotland Office Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:

Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category

Date	Type	Title
Jul. 24	Oral Questions	Oral Answers to Questions
Jun. 19	Urgent Questions	Glasgow School of Art
Dec. 20	Written Statements	Government’s Legislative Programme (Scotland)
Nov. 13	Westminster Hall	Referendum on Scottish Independence

View All Scotland Office Commons Contibutions

Scotland Office Publications

Most Recent Publications

Date	Title	Type
Dec. 27	Scots recognised in New Year Honours 2020	News and Communications
Dec. 19	Queen's Speech	News and Communications
Dec. 17	Douglas Ross appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland	News and Communications

View All Scotland Office Publications

Scotland Office Written Questions

Written Questions are submitted by Members of Parliament and the House of Lords to receive information or updates from a Department.

Departments are required to respond in a timely fashion and provide a response or requested information. Written Questions can compel detailed and specific information to be produced, and are frequently used as the source of news stories about the work of a Department.

Latest Written Question

Date	Title	Questioner
8 Jan 2020, 3:52 p.m.	Devolution: Scotland	Gerald Jones
Question What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of intergovernmental relations between the Government and Scottish Government. Answer (Douglas Ross) The UK Government is committed to having a constructive relationship with the Scottish Government. We continue to develop proposals for a package of reforms as part of the review on intergovernmental relations.

View All Scotland Office Written Question