Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the merits of the Scottish Parliament being able to bring forward legislative proposals on telecommunications and postage with the consent of the Scottish Secretary; and if he will make a statement.

Under the Scotland Act 1998 these matters are reserved. In 2014, the Smith Commission considered in great depth what new powers should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and the report was agreed by all five of Scotland’s main political parties. The Scotland Act 2016 delivers on the Smith Commission Agreement in full, and we are committed to implementing the Act. The devolution settlement strikes the right balance and now is not the time to reopen this issue.