Oral Answers to Questions

Guy Opperman Excerpts

Wednesday 26th November 2014 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

1. If he will give guidance to the Smith commission on ensuring that its proposals do not hamper cross-border trade with the north of England.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)]

At the outset of this process, Lord Smith set out a number of guiding principles underpinning cross-party talks. They included the principle that the proposals should strengthen Scottish devolution and the Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom, and that they should not cause detriment to the UK as a whole or to any of its constituent parts.

[Guy Opperman]

My constituents campaigned very strongly so that we remained “better together”, and whether that related to farmers, business, trade or joint air passenger duty, it continues. Does the Minister welcome the borderlands initiative between local authorities on either side of the border?

[David Mundell]

I very much welcome the borderlands initiative, which is an excellent example of cross-border working. Councils are working together across the Scottish and English borders to maximise economic and cultural opportunities.