Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compliance of the Scottish Government in respect of their actions in areas reserved under the devolution agreements.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The UK Government is committed to respecting and strengthening the devolution settlements. We engage closely with the Scottish Government on Scotland Act Orders, which were established under the Scotland Act 1998, to help manage the Scottish devolution settlement. The Scotland Act 1998 sets out mechanisms in the event of activity which may be contrary to the Scottish devolution settlement.
The UK Government engages regularly with the Scottish Government in a wide range of other areas, including on the collective challenges we face, such as our recovery from Covid-19. The UK Government reports quarterly on intergovernmental engagement and activity with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 9 September (HL2410), what topics were covered in the 11 letters (attached to emails) that the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland received from Scottish Ministers in relation to reserved matters; and what plans they have to publish these letters.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
UK Government Ministers and Scottish Government Ministers regularly communicate on a range of matters. There is a strong public interest in allowing Ministers a private space within which to communicate, discuss and share information. Therefore, we do not routinely publish interministerial letters and we have no plans to publish these letters or their contents.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received from Scottish Ministers, by (1) email, (2) letter, and (3) other means of communication, since August 2020 on matters which are reserved.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
In the time period outlined, the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland has received 11 letters (attached to emails) from Scottish Ministers in relation to reserved matters.
There are no further communications to report.