Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Patricia Gibson Excerpts
Wednesday 11th May 2016

(8 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Secretary of State was asked—
Patricia Gibson Portrait Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP)
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1. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on Scotland of the UK leaving the EU.

Gavin Newlands Portrait Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)
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2. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on Scotland of the UK leaving the EU.

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David Mundell Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)
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I congratulate Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish National party on achieving the largest number of seats in last week’s Scottish Parliament elections. I look forward to working with her and the new Scottish Government for the benefit of the people of Scotland.

The Government’s position is that Scotland and the United Kingdom will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a reformed EU. Membership of the EU reduces costs for Scottish businesses; supports jobs in Scotland; and provides an export market currently worth £11.6 billion.

Patricia Gibson Portrait Patricia Gibson
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A re-run of “Project Fear” from the Prime Minister will not win the European referendum. Stories of war, genocide and economic crashes are not in keeping with making a positive case for the EU. When will we will hear the positive case for remaining in the EU?

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I would like to add my congratulations to the hon. Lady’s husband on his re-election to the Scottish Parliament, where I am sure his witty repartee will once again be welcomed.

The hon. Lady and her colleagues repeatedly call for a positive campaign for Scotland to remain in the EU, but all we hear about from them is process and calls for a second referendum on independence. I call on them to disregard that approach and actually start setting out the positive case themselves.