Scotland Act 1998: Section 35 Power

Debate between Alister Jack and Chris Stephens
Tuesday 17th January 2023

(1 year, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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That is the conclusion that some people might have reached when listening to the question of the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber (Ian Blackford).

Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)
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Conservative Members impinged on devolved competencies in legislation last night when they voted for the anti-strike Bill. Can the Secretary of State tell us this: since the Scottish Parliament passed the gender recognition reform Bill and his decision today, what correspondence has he had with the Scottish Government to try to resolve the issue, or is it him who is a bad faith actor?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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As I think I have said, the Minister for Women and Equalities and civil service officials had a number of engagements. My involvement comes after the event, because it is a constitutional involvement. On the gender policy area, it is absolutely for the Minister to have that engagement, and she not only wrote but had a meeting.

Scottish Referendum Legislation: Supreme Court Decision

Debate between Alister Jack and Chris Stephens
Wednesday 23rd November 2022

(1 year, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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I have made my position very clear. I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave earlier.

Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)
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Our Secretary of State for Scotland, who can go to the unelected House of Lords at a time of his choosing, is setting democratic tests on how Scotland can choose its own future. It is fanciful and absurd. If he is so confident in his view of what the Scottish people’s priorities are, why does he not call our bluff by calling a referendum?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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As the hon. Gentleman knows, we had a referendum in 2014, and we know what the agreement on that was between the Governments, political parties and civic Scotland. We feel now that the priorities for Scotland are for us all to pull together, work to bring back the economy after covid, tackle the cost of living crisis, and get in front of the issues that we believe are the priorities for the people of Scotland.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alister Jack and Chris Stephens
Wednesday 25th March 2020

(4 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)
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The Secretary of State will be aware that some companies are operating at the moment that should not be—they are defying the advice from the Prime Minister. Will the Secretary of State therefore raise this issue with colleagues in the UK Government to ensure that these companies still trading at the moment will have closure orders put on them and will face heavy fines if they continue trading from today onwards?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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As the Prime Minister and the First Minister of Scotland have said, it is essential businesses that must carry on trading. The Prime Minister is here and he will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s remarks.