Asked by: Ged Killen (Labour (Co-op) - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has received on the effect of the Carrillion entering liquidation on the non-construction services it provides in Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
My Department is monitoring the position with regard to Carillion’s non-construction service contracts in Scotland and is in close touch with other UK Government departments and the Scottish Government.
Asked by: Ged Killen (Labour (Co-op) - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral contribution on 6 December 2017, Official Report, column, 1014, what the outcome was of his discussions with RBS on bank branches across Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
The Royal Bank of Scotland’s decision to close bank branches are commercial decisions for the Royal Bank of Scotland. However, the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated.
I met RBS chief executive Les Matheson on 7 December to discuss their decision and I made clear the concerns that had been raised by MPs and communities about their plans.
Asked by: Ged Killen (Labour (Co-op) - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will meet with the National Farmers Union Scotland to discuss a specific Agricultural Labour Scheme to meet labour shortages in the agricultural sector in Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
I have regular discussions with the National Farmers Union Scotland on a range of matters of importance to the agriculture sector in Scotland.
The precise nature of the UK’s seasonal labour needs, and how they might best be met post-EU exit, have yet to be determined. The Home Secretary has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to undertake a detailed assessment of the impact of EU migration across all parts of the UK’s economy and society, and to gather evidence on patterns of EU migration ahead of our exit from the European Union.
I do, of course, recognise that it is crucial that we secure a strong agricultural workforce as we develop a new approach to farming outside the EU, and I will continue to work closely with our food and farming industry in Scotland to consider their specific needs.