Scotland: Referendum Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Scotland: Referendum

Lord Cormack Excerpts
Monday 31st October 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
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My Lords, certainly one of the questions that will be raised—and is continually raised—with the First Minister of Scotland, is what currency would exist within the British Isles if Scotland were no longer part of the United Kingdom. At this stage is it is very difficult to answer.

Lord Cormack Portrait Lord Cormack
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My Lords, is the First Minister of Scotland seeking to emulate Ian Smith or Robert Mugabe?

Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
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My Lords, I am not going to follow my noble friend down that route. However, these are important matters. Ultimately the people of Scotland will need to decide whether to remain part of the United Kingdom or to break up one of the most enduring partnerships and one that has suited the people of Scotland economically and culturally more than anything else I can think of.