Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department spent on (a) air, (b) rail, (c) taxi and (d) other travel in 2016-17.
Answered by David Mundell
The Scotland Office spend on travel for 2016-17 is shown below.
Description | Cost |
Air | £194,176 |
Rail | £79,478 |
Taxi | £24,279 |
Other travel costs | £60,383 |
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the Time for Inclusive Education campaign.
Answered by David Mundell
I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. I fully support the Time for Inclusive Education campaign to tackle prejudice and spread understanding in our schools, giving LGBTI young people equality and respect.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many of the staff in his Department have access to his Department's official (a) Twitter and (b) Facebook account.
Answered by David Mundell
The press and engagement team of the Scotland Office have access to the Scotland Office’s digital platforms. The team consists of ten people.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the effect of recent and proposed closures in the Department for Work and Pensions estate in Scotland on the level of unemployment in Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
DWP are working to recruit more work coaches to support people into work in Scotland and we do not expect there to be a change in service as a result of the proposed closures. The UK Government is committed to retaining a Jobcentre network and continuing to serve people in all areas of the country to make sure they can continue to access the services they need, responding to economic trends and the changing ways in which claimants access services.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the priorities for the (a) steel and (b) fishing industry within the negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by David Mundell
I have regular discussions with my Cabinet colleagues and we are carefully considering sectoral priorities ahead of negotiations to leave the EU.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he raised (a) the Scottish Government's report entitled Scotland's Place in Europe, published on 20 December 2016 and (b) Scotland's place in the European single market with (i) Vicky Ford MEP, (ii) the Centre for European Policy Studies, (iii) Open Europe, (iv) Bruegel, (v) permanent representatives to the EU and (vi) the CBI's Brussels representative during his visit to Brussels on 9 February 2017.
Answered by David Mundell
As the United Kingdom leaves the EU, the Government is committed to delivering the best possible deal for every part of the United Kingdom; a deal which works best for Scottish businesses, Scottish farmers and Scottish fishermen. On 9 February 2017, I travelled to Brussels and met a range of key stakeholders to discuss a variety of topics. We have committed to looking closely at the Scottish Government’s paper, Scotland’s Place in Europe, and we are doing just that.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the level of VAT payable by Scottish emergency services.
Answered by David Mundell
I refer the hon Member to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 17 October 2016 (UIN 47109), and to the response of the previous Financial Secretary to a proposed amendment to the Finance Bill on this subject on 7 July 2016 (Public Bill Committee, Official Report, Column 225).
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to bring forward legislative proposals to make Scottish emergency services eligible for VAT refunds.
Answered by David Mundell
I refer the hon Member to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 17 October 2016 (UIN 47109), and to the response of the previous Financial Secretary to a proposed amendment to the Finance Bill on this subject on 7 July 2016 (Public Bill Committee, Official Report, Column 225).
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2017 to Question 61501, on what date he last discussed the UK's nuclear deterrent with the (a) Prime Minister and (b) Ministry of Defence; whether missile tests formed part of these discussions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Mundell
I regularly discuss on-going, important issues with the Prime Minster and my Cabinet colleagues.
Asked by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2017 to Question 61526, if he will make it his Department's policy to bring forward legislative proposals to prevent the UK Parliament from passing legislation applying to Scotland that makes provision about a devolved matter without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.
Answered by David Mundell
The Sewel Convention has been placed on a statutory footing by section 2 of the Scotland Act 2016, which states that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without consent of the Scottish Parliament. The UK Government’s approach has not changed.