Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92513, if he will confirm who the relevant authorities are.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The Secretary of State is aware that the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Legal Ombudsman have been responding to the implications for clients in England and Wales of the firm’s closure. It would not be appropriate for him to comment any further and any inquiries should be directed to these relevant authorities.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether Police Scotland has had discussions with his Department on its investigation into McClures Solicitors asset protection trusts.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Police Scotland has not had discussions with the Scotland Office regarding its investigation into McClures Solicitors' asset protection trusts. It would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State or Scotland Office officials to discuss this matter with Police Scotland as the investigating authority. I am aware however that the relevant authorities have been considering any implications for the firm’s clients in England and Wales.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to discuss concerns about the former legal firm WW&J McClure Ltd with the Law Society of Scotland and Police Scotland.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The Secretary of State is aware that the closure of WW & J McClure Limited has caused anguish and worry to many of its clients, and hopes the matter can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. As crime and justice are devolved in Scotland, it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to discuss this matter with the Law Society of Scotland as the regulator and Police Scotland as the investigating authority.
I am aware however that the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Legal Ombudsman have been responding to the implications for clients in England and Wales of the firm’s closure.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many staff in his Department have been allocated to deal with issues related to international trade in (a) each of the past five years and (b) the next two years; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Jack of Courance
The Scotland Office works closely with the Department for International Trade to ensure the opportunities being created through international trade deals and the services provided to businesses are understood in Scotland. Working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Scotland Office Ministers also have a programme of overseas visits planned during 2022/23 to promote Scottish exports and inward investment.
There are two dedicated officials in the Scotland Office spending the majority of their time on trade. However, their work is supported by staff who cover a range of policy areas where international trade can feature, including rural affairs, business support, foreign affairs, energy and infrastructure. As such, a detailed breakdown of staff numbers cannot be provided on this occasion.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has held (a) any financial or consultancy contracts and (b) meetings with representatives of (i) Clifford Chance LLP, (ii) FTI Consulting and (iii) Fenchurch Advisory Partners in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Jack of Courance
My Department has not held any financial or consultancy contracts or held meetings with representatives of (i) Clifford Chance LLP, (ii) FTI Consulting or (iii) Fenchurch Advisory Partners in any of the last five years.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to require his Department and its agencies to provide a payroll deduction service to allow staff to save more easily with a credit union; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Jack of Courance
The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland does not employ staff directly; all staff that join do so on an assignment, loan or secondment from other government bodies which remain responsible for payroll arrangements.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which regulatory functions imposed by legislation for which his Department has responsibility are currently undertaken by trade associations; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
The Office for the Secretary of State for Scotland does not have any functions imposed by legislation which are being undertaken by trade associations.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department permits its employees to join a credit union through payroll deductions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. Matters relating to the terms and conditions of service of staff, including information in relation to payroll deductions of staff are matters for the employing bodies.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which agreed EU directives have not yet been transposed directly into UK law; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.
The Scotland Office has no EU Directives awaiting transposition into UK law.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my hon Friend, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin) on 2 November 2015.