Debates between Alister Jack and Peter Gibson during the 2019 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alister Jack and Peter Gibson
Wednesday 23rd June 2021

(2 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Peter Gibson Portrait Peter Gibson (Darlington) (Con)
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What steps is he taking to strengthen the Union.

Alister Jack Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)
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The value and strength of the Union has never been more important or more apparent. The United Kingdom Government have supported all parts of the UK during the pandemic; that includes the furlough scheme, which at its peak supported nearly 1 million jobs in Scotland, the help of our fantastic military, and the UK-wide vaccination programme which means we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. The UK Government will lead our recovery from the pandemic, investing in communities right across the United Kingdom, getting young people into jobs and improving connectivity between all parts of our country.

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Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend. The vaccine programme has been a huge success, and it was UK-wide procurement delivering vaccines on a UK-wide basis.

Peter Gibson Portrait Peter Gibson [V]
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The A68 links Darlington with Edinburgh and serves as an economic and cultural link between England and Scotland. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should be celebrating and strengthening connections between our two nations, and will he lend his support to the proposed improvements to the artery in my constituency as a means of strengthening our precious Union?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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Yes, and Darlington has also been supporting the Scottish football team over the last few weeks. It is vital that we have good connectivity between all parts of the United Kingdom. Sir Peter Hendy, in his review, is looking at how we can improve that, and he will publish his report later this year, but I must say—I put it on the record again—that I was disappointed that the Scottish Government told their civil service not to engage in this work because, as ever, they want to put a grievance ahead of improving Scotland’s economy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alister Jack and Peter Gibson
Wednesday 7th October 2020

(3 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Peter Gibson Portrait Peter Gibson (Darlington) (Con)
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What steps his Department is taking to strengthen the Union.

Alister Jack Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)
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The Government have always stressed the importance of the Union. The UK is a family of nations that shares social, cultural and economic ties that, together, make us far safer, more secure and more prosperous. As we have seen throughout the covid crisis, it is the economic strength of the Union and our commitment to the sharing and pooling of resources that has supported jobs and businesses throughout Scotland.

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Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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Yes, absolutely. I am pleased that we have announced a Department for International Trade hub in the new Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh. It will help our exporters in Scotland and build on the excellent trade deal that we have already agreed with Japan.

Peter Gibson Portrait Peter Gibson
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Darlington is the birthplace of the modern railway. Stronger railway links between Darlington and Scotland will be vital for the success of our internal market. Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming the independent Union connectivity review, led by Sir Peter Hendy, which will look at how we can improve our transport infrastructure to bring our communities closer and level up access to jobs and opportunities?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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I absolutely will. The Union connectivity review will explore ways to build back better. As I said, I met Sir Peter Hendy yesterday, and it is extremely disappointing—it is worth making this point again—that Transport Secretary Matheson has instructed his officials not to engage in the review, to the detriment of Scotland and her economy.