Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and John Nicolson

Tuesday 6th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

As I said, we are investing £100 million in recruiting the additional 2,500 officers. We are launching a new apprenticeship scheme, a new graduate scheme and a scheme to recruit people from the armed services. We are improving career progression in the Prison Service to ensure that our experienced officers get the opportunities that they deserve. In the 25% of prisons in which we struggle to recruit in London and the south-east, we are offering additional payments. We are doing everything we can to build up that strength because it is important to delivering safe and reformed prisons.

[John Nicolson (East Dunbartonshire) (SNP)]

11. What recent progress has been made on the Government’s plan to replace the Human Rights Act 1998.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and John Nicolson

Thursday 7th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[John Nicolson (East Dunbartonshire) (SNP)]

T4. Scotland’s food and drink industry exports £725 million-worth of produce to the European Union. Given the disastrous Brexit vote, what impact does the Minister believe any restrictions on the seasonal workforce will have on the industry north of the border?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. It shows why we are turbo-charging the work of the Great British Food Unit, to make sure that we open up new markets and get more of our products out into the world, as well as into the European Union. I am clear that agriculture and food has major export growth potential, which is why I am having a meeting today with the Business Secretary to talk about our trade negotiations and making sure that food is a key part of those.