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1728656

	registered interest
	date	10/09/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Equality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many positions in his Department included (a) diversity, (b) inclusion, (c) equity and (d) equality in their job title in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of the salaries of each such job was in each of those years.
	tabling member constituency	Great Yarmouth
	tabling member printed	Rupert Lowe
	uin	5198
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/09/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office has not had any positions that have included (a) diversity, (b) inclusion, (c) equity or (d) equality in their job title in any of the last five years.</p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 13/09/2024 09:05:16 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5158

1727164

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	A75: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent progress his Department has made with the Scottish Government on upgrading the A75.
	tabling member constituency	Dumfries and Galloway
	tabling member printed	John Cooper
	uin	4163
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/09/2024 answer text <p>The previous Government publicly committed to providing £8m in development funding to complete a detailed feasibility study for specific upgrades to the A75 and to fund targeted improvements identified by the study, subject to the Scottish Government’s business cases at various stages throughout the process. We recognise the importance of this project to communities in Southwest Scotland and remain in regular contact with DFT on it.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 10/09/2024 09:17:36 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5358

1725691

	registered interest
	date	30/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Redundancy Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
	tabling member constituency	Bath
	tabling member printed	Wera Hobhouse
	uin	3047
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2024 answer text <p>In accordance with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, paid Ministers below the age of 65 are entitled to a loss of office payment of one quarter of their claimed annual ministerial salary when they cease to hold office.</p><p>Details of ministerial severance payments can be found in the Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General annual report and accounts.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 09/09/2024 09:15:03 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	4602 label Biography information for Wera Hobhouse

1726060

	registered interest
	date	30/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Broadband: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he plans to take to improve broadband access and connection speed in rural Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	East Renfrewshire
	tabling member printed	Blair McDougall
	uin	3361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2024 answer text <p>Digital connectivity is key to delivering our priority mission of growing the economy. Building Digital UK continues to work with the Scottish Government on the delivery of Project Gigabit procurements across Scotland.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Project Gigabit procurements are targeted at the remaining premises that are not expected to receive a gigabit-capable connection as part of a suppliers’ commercial rollout, or any other subsidised delivery in Scotland.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Scottish Government launched the first two Project Gigabit procurements in Scotland in May 2024, in the Borders and East Lothian area and in the Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Angus, and Moray Coast areas. Further local and regional procurements are expected to launch in phases throughout the rest of 2024, including Shetland and Orkney, Fife and Perth &amp; Kinross and Dumfries &amp; Galloway. The remainder of Central and North Scotland will be included in a procurement under the cross-regional framework which has been awarded to Openreach.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 06/09/2024 09:08:08 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5076

1726265

	registered interest
	date	30/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Engineering: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Government to (a) support and (b) increase engineering apprenticeships in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Dunfermline and Dollar
	tabling member printed	Graeme Downie
	uin	3592
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2024 answer text <p>Scotland has always produced world-class engineers, and this Government is committed to growing the economy and supporting the sector all across the UK.</p><p>Scotland is at the forefront of the Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030, which in itself will create a range of new opportunities for engineering apprentices in Scotland. Great British Energy, our new publicly-owned clean energy company, will be headquartered in Scotland; in addition to delivering energy security and lower prices for consumers, it will create thousands of jobs and build supply chains across the UK as new technologies are deployed. In addition to GB Energy, further opportunities for engineering apprentices will arise from the National Wealth Fund, which will unlock further investment opportunities for the local ports, heavy industry and manufacturing companies that have a crucial role to play in creating quality jobs and in our transition to net zero.</p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 09/09/2024 09:21:59 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5275

1726266

	registered interest
	date	30/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scottish Cities Alliance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Cities Alliance.
	tabling member constituency	Dunfermline and Dollar
	tabling member printed	Graeme Downie
	uin	3593
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2024 answer text <p>The Scottish Cities Alliance is an important stakeholder. There is a clear synergy in the work of the Scottish Cities Alliance and how this Government wants to kickstart economic growth in all parts of the country. Therefore, I have plans to meet with the Scottish Cities Alliance in the future to hear about their very important plans for the economic potential across Scotland’s eight cities and better understand how they can better work in partnership with this Government.</p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 04/09/2024 14:00:26 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5275

1726267

	registered interest
	date	30/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Ferries and Railways: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Government to improve (a) rail and (b) ferry provision in (i) Fife and (ii) Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Dunfermline and Dollar
	tabling member printed	Graeme Downie
	uin	3594
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2024 answer text <p>Scotrail run rail services in both Fife and wider Scotland, and responsibility for these services lie with the Scottish Government. Similarly, ferry services are also devolved to the Scottish Government. This Government is, however, working to ensure public ownership across rail services. The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill will ensure that ScotRail is kept in public hands.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This Government is committed to resetting the relationship with the Scottish Government to ensure we can work together to deliver for the people of Scotland on the things that matter most to communities, including on transport links between Scotland and the rest of the UK. I have already met with the Deputy First Minister on numerous occasions to discuss a variety of issues. My officials regularly engage with their counterparts in the Scottish Government, working with their colleagues in the Department for Transport, to identify opportunities for collaboration on improving transport and other services.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 09/09/2024 09:24:14 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5275

1726268

	registered interest
	date	30/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Veterans: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to work with the Scottish Government to improve services for veterans in (a) Dunfermline and Dollar constituency and (b) Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Dunfermline and Dollar
	tabling member printed	Graeme Downie
	uin	3595
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to supporting those who served and risked their lives for this country - a great number of whom I know live in my honourable Friend’s constituency. The Office for Veterans Affairs continues to work closely with the Scottish Government as key areas of policy and support delivered to veterans are devolved. This includes support with employment, mental health, and housing. For example, the veteran employment pathway provides employment and career development support for veterans across the UK, and veterans in Scotland who are homeless can access a UK-wide referral housing pathway.</p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 09/09/2024 09:18:53 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5275

1727221

	registered interest
	date	27/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Public Sector: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the potential impact of the Chancellor’s statement on public spending inheritance of 29 July 2024 on public sector pay in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Dr Zubir Ahmed
	uin	900240
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2024 answer text <p>The financial inheritance - the worst inherited by any incoming Government since World War 2 - was compounded by the unforeseen £22 billion black hole in spending left by the previous Government. This means we face hard choices we didn’t expect or want to make to fix the foundations of our economy.</p><p>What the previous Government did - spending the Treasury reserves three times over by July - was reckless and unforgivable. They also for the first time excluded an affordability clause from the Pay Bodies and the SNP had no set pay back either.</p><p>The Scottish Government is responsible for public sector pay awards for devolved workforces. Barnett consequentials and Supplementary Estimates for 2024-25 will be confirmed at the budget in October and the Spending Review will set block grant funding up to at least 2027-28. This will allow the devolved governments to financially plan over a longer period of time.</p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 04/09/2024 16:22:18 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5213

1727222

	registered interest
	date	27/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Potatoes: UK Internal Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the commercial movement of potatoes from Scotland to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	Carla Lockhart
	uin	900241
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2024 answer text <p>The Windsor Framework has lifted the ban on the movement of seed potatoes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label scheme.</p><p>Once planted in Northern Ireland, the new crop of seed potatoes can be sold with no restrictions. This reflects long-standing arrangements for biosecurity, and our commitment to upholding a smooth flow of trade with Northern Ireland.</p> answering member constituency Midlothian answering member printed Kirsty McNeill question first answered 04/09/2024 14:04:50 answering member 5114
	tabling member	4857 label Biography information for Carla Lockhart

1727223

	registered interest
	date	27/08/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Radicalism: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to help tackle far-right extremism in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	East Renfrewshire
	tabling member printed	Blair McDougall
	uin	900243
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2024 answer text <p>The past weeks have been frightening for many of our communities in Scotland, in particular for Muslims. I will never forget hearing from a young woman who has asked to work from home indefinitely because she is so afraid to be in a city centre, in Scotland, in 2024, wearing the hijab. That is intolerable and cannot - and will not - be accepted.</p><p>So I do not share the complacency of some that Scotland has no issues around racism and Islamophobia to address.</p><p>The UK Government and Scotland Office are determined to play our part in defeating hate. I am grateful to the civil society and voluntary organisations throughout our communities whose efforts are so vital in supporting that endeavour, and to Police Scotland for their work in keeping us safe.</p><p>While I am confident that the true values of this country are best reflected by millions of decent, law abiding people who cherish our neighbours and will not be divided, we must acknowledge that mosques, synagogues and other buildings used by a range of faith communities in Scotland have had to take advantage of Home Office funding for security. Their need to do so shames us all and we will not rest until those responsible for violent disorder are brought to justice and everyone, of every faith and background, feels equally safe.</p><p>This government will continue to promote unity and solidarity across the diverse communities that so enrich life in Scotland and the United Kingdom and bring to justice all those engaged in thuggery and violent disorder.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Midlothian answering member printed Kirsty McNeill question first answered 04/09/2024 16:26:02 answering member 5114
	tabling member	5076

1724431

	registered interest
	date	30/07/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Public Appointments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory direct ministerial appointments excluding special advisers he has made; and (i) who the appointee was and (ii) what the (A) remuneration, (B) title and (C) terms of reference was for each appointment.
	tabling member constituency	North West Hampshire
	tabling member printed	Kit Malthouse
	uin	2405
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/09/2024 answer text <p>I can confirm that I have not made any statutory or non-statutory direct Ministerial Appointments since taking up office as the Secretary of State for Scotland on 5 July 2024.</p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 02/09/2024 10:33:58 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse

1723511

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Public Expenditure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will provide a breakdown of underspend in (a) his Department and (b) departmental arm's length bodies in this (i) financial year and (ii) spending review.
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	uin	1782
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2024 answer text <p>A breakdown of the Department and its arm’s length bodies underspend in the current financial year and over the spending review are disclosed in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scotland-office-and-oag-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-2023" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scotland-office-and-oag-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-2023</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scotland-office-and-oag-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scotland-office-and-oag-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 31/07/2024 09:32:44 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1723512

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Cost Effectiveness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to (a) implement and (b) cancel efficiency savings budgeted for by the previous Government for (i) his Department and (ii) departmental arm's length bodies; and what plans he has for further such efficiency savings.
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	uin	1783
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2024 answer text <p>Decisions regarding budgets for this year were set in the last spending review and for future years will be a matter for the upcoming comprehensive spending review which my department is engaging in. The uncovering of £22bn of in-year hidden pressures has added to the strain on departmental budgets as set out by the Chancellor to parliament on 30 July.</p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 31/07/2024 09:35:33 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1722429

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Miscarriages of Justice: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Parliament on tackling the time taken for compensation claims in relation to miscarriages of justice to be processed.
	tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
	uin	1017
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to the effective delivery of compensation schemes in relation to miscarriages of justice.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Scottish Parliament has been in recess since the formation of the new Government, so no discussions have taken place. However, through the resetting of the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments, Scotland’s two governments will be able to work together in addressing the causes of delays to miscarriages of justice claims in order to bring justice to those affected.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 25/07/2024 09:25:53 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1721825

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Pensioners: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people of pensionable age there are in each constituency in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West
	tabling member printed	Martin McCluskey
	uin	540
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2024 answer text <p>As you may be aware, the current State Pension age is 66 for both men and woman, with the state pension age set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The most recent population data by Scottish constituency, collected on Census Day 20 March 2022, is set out below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><strong></strong><p><strong>Constituency</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><strong></strong><p><strong>Total aged 66 and over</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><strong></strong><p><strong>Constituency</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><strong></strong><p><strong>Total aged 66 and over</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>East Renfrewshire</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>19643</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Glasgow East</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>12856</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Na h-Eileanan an Iar</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>6541</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Glasgow North</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>11530</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Midlothian</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17187</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Glasgow North East</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>13685</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>North Ayrshire &amp; Arran</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>21715</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Glasgow South</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>13302</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Orkney &amp; Shetland</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>9929</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Glasgow South West</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>12633</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Aberdeen North</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>19039</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Glasgow West</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>13489</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Aberdeen South</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16777</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Glenrothes &amp; Mid Fife</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>18257</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Aberdeenshire North &amp; Moray East</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>20932</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Gordon &amp; Buchan</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17908</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Airdrie &amp; Shotts</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>15166</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Hamilton &amp; Clyde Valley</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>18673</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Alloa &amp; Grangemouth</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17579</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Inverclyde &amp; Renfrewshire West</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>18918</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Angus &amp; Perthshire Glens</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>24265</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Inverness, Skye &amp; West Ross-shire</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>21123</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Arbroath &amp; Broughty Ferry</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>22136</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Livingston</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16365</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Argyll, Bute &amp; South Lochaber</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>23315</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Lothian East</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>19413</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Bathgate &amp; Linlithgow</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16280</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Mid Dunbartonshire</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>22168</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Caithness, Sutherland &amp; Easter Ross</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>22936</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Moray West, Nairn &amp; Strathspey</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>21530</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Coatbridge &amp; Bellshill</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>15343</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Motherwell, Wishaw &amp; Carluke</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16914</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Cowdenbeath &amp; Kirkcaldy</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>19633</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>North East Fife</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>21192</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Cumbernauld &amp; Kirkintilloch</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16691</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Paisley &amp; Renfrewshire North</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16629</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Dumfries &amp; Galloway</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>24389</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Paisley &amp; Renfrewshire South</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17158</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale &amp; Tweeddale</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>21473</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Perth &amp; Kinross-shire</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>22354</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Dundee Central</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16396</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Rutherglen</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16976</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Dunfermline &amp; Dollar</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17223</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Stirling &amp; Strathallan</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>20043</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>East Kilbride &amp; Strathaven</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17844</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>West Dunbartonshire</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17131</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Edinburgh East &amp; Musselburgh</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>15006</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Ayr, Carrick &amp; Cumnock</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>21464</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Edinburgh North &amp; Leith</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>13067</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Berwickshire, Roxburgh &amp; Selkirk</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>24245</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Edinburgh South</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>16692</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Central Ayrshire</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>19687</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Edinburgh South West</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>15448</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Kilmarnock &amp; Loudoun</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>18931</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Edinburgh West</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>19583</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>West Aberdeenshire &amp; Kincardine</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>18983</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Falkirk</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>17612</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p> </p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 24/07/2024 09:54:43 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5129

1721827

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Renewable Energy: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent estimate he has made of the value to the Scottish economy of the renewable energy sector; and what steps he plans to take to support that sector.
	tabling member constituency	Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West
	tabling member printed	Martin McCluskey
	uin	542
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2024 answer text <p>The renewable energy sector supports economic activity throughout its supply chains and this economic activity supports wage spending across Scotland. According to the Fraser of Allander Institute, a leading think-tank, Scotland’s renewable energy industry and its supply chain supported an estimated 42,000 jobs and contributed over £10.1 billion to the economy in 2021. Scotland's renewables industry continues to contribute significantly to the UK economy, and has a growing role to play as we realise the UK Government’s ambition of becoming a clean energy superpower by 2030. The establishment of GB Energy, publicly owned and headquartered in Scotland, will further support and turbocharge the sector.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 24/07/2024 13:05:42 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5129

1721834

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Shipbuilding: Levenmouth
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had on supporting continued expansion in activity at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Methil.
	tabling member constituency	Glenrothes and Mid Fife
	tabling member printed	Richard Baker
	uin	549
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2024 answer text <p>I have had frequent discussions with the Department for Business and Trade, across government, trade unions and with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, to support activity at Harland and Wolff sites across the United Kingdom. This country has a long and proud history of shipbuilding and fabrication, and I am confident that this Government is taking appropriate steps to support the sector in Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government and the company itself. Can I refer the Hon Gentlemen to the market update from the company dated Friday 19 July, and the Written Ministerial Statement presented to the House on Monday 22 July for more information.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Edinburgh South answering member printed Ian Murray question first answered 24/07/2024 09:12:26 answering member 3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray
	tabling member	5253

1719248

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Redundancy Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether any ministerial redundancy payments have been repaid to their Department since 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
	tabling member printed	Justin Madders
	uin	27093
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office and Office for the Advocate General can confirm that no redundancy payments have been returned to the department since 2019.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 22/05/2024 14:55:00 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1718799

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Motor Vehicles
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many and what proportion of (a) cars and (b) other vehicles used by his Department were made in Britain.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	26641
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office uses vehicles provided by the Government Car Service (GCS). Due to logistical and operational reasons, the type of vehicles deployed at each department can vary on a daily or weekly basis. The GCS fleet currently has 122 vehicles, 58 (48%) of which are vehicles made in Britain.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 21/05/2024 09:59:03 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1717827

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Civil Partnerships: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Scottish Government's request for a section 104 Order under the Scotland Act 1998 in consequence of the Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020, if he will permit the Scottish Government to legislate accordingly.
	tabling member constituency	Argyll and Bute
	tabling member printed	Brendan O'Hara
	uin	26173
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2024 answer text <p>I have written to the Scottish Government to confirm the UK Government’s in-principle agreement to proceed with this Scotland Act Order. My officials will continue to engage with their Scottish Government counterparts as the Order advances.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 17/05/2024 09:41:03 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4371 label Biography information for Brendan O'Hara

1717153

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Food
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what his Department's policy is on the procurement of (a) food and (b) drinks produced in Britain for use in its canteens and restaurants.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	25634
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office does not manage any canteens or restaurants and does not procure any food or drinks for use in canteens or restaurants.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 15/05/2024 10:56:12 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1713570

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Cost of Living: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on trends in the cost of living in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	23551
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>Supporting households and the most vulnerable by tackling cost of living pressures remains a core priority for this government. That is why the UK Government has introduced a £108 billion package of support over 2022-25, worth an average £3,800 per household, to mitigate against these pressures. We are also making good progress against the Prime Minister’s three economic priorities of halving inflation, getting the economy growing and reducing the national debt. Inflation is now at 3.2 percent - less than half its recent peak, and is expected to fall further to its 2 percent target one year earlier than expected.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 01/05/2024 13:29:39 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1713014

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Domestic Visits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will provide a list of ministerial visits to the Midlothian constituency in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Midlothian
	tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
	uin	23248
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>Scotland Office Ministers have conducted one visit to the constituency of Midlothian in the past five years. This was by Iain Stewart MP, while Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Scotland Office, to Midlothian Council Projects on 4 February 2022.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 30/04/2024 09:33:57 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1714821

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Freedom of Speech: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the protection of free speech in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Rother Valley
	tabling member printed	Alexander Stafford
	uin	902552
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>This Government is committed to protecting free speech.</p><p>It is the responsibility of the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament, working with Police Scotland, to ensure that the hate crime legislation is implemented and enforced in a way that protects freedom of speech and has the confidence of people in Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 01/05/2024 11:01:07 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4866 label Biography information for Alexander Stafford

1715104

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	United Kingdom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the strength of the Union.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	902560
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>I discuss the strengths and benefits of the Union with colleagues on a regular basis.</p><p>This Government is committed to protecting the Union and promoting the strengths that have made it the most successful political and economic union the world has ever seen.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 01/05/2024 13:24:43 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1712780

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with the Lord Advocate on the Scottish Government's proposed amendments to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.
	tabling member constituency	Edinburgh South
	tabling member printed	Ian Murray
	uin	22933
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>Discussions with Scottish Ministers on the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill have principally been led by the Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, Minister Hollinrake. I have not had discussions with the Lord Advocate regarding the Scottish Government’s proposed amendments to the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill.</p><p> </p><p>Noting Scotland’s historically separate legal jurisdiction and the unique role of the Lord Advocate and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in respect of prosecutions in Scotland, it is the UK Government’s view that it is appropriate for the Scottish Government to bring forward proposals to address prosecutions on this matter in Scotland, and for those to be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament. The UK Government remains committed to supporting the Scottish Government in bringing forward its own proposals.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 29/04/2024 08:00:53 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray

1712857

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Fraud
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he has taken to reduce the cost of fraud in his Department in the last three financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	22929
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office reported no cases of fraud or amounts lost due to fraud or error in any of the last three financial years. This is disclosed as part of the Annual Report and Accounts available on GOV.UK.</p><p>The Government is determined to uncover fraud in the public sector and is proud of its record. As part of this, the Government established the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA).</p><p>In 22/23, the PSFA set a target of delivering £180m of savings to the taxpayer. In fact, the PSFA far surpassed this within the first 12 months by preventing and recovering £311 million. As it enters its second year, the PSFA has a target of achieving £185 million of savings for the taxpayer.</p><p>The Government has also announced an additional £34 million to deploy cutting-edge tools and Artificial Intelligence tools to help combat fraud across the public sector, saving £100 million for the public purse. This is in addition to existing partnerships between PSFA and the tech sector.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 26/04/2024 12:09:17 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1701499

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Public Expenditure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the cost to the public purse was of (a) staff and (b) running costs for his Department in financial year 2023-24; and how much he has allocated for 2024-25.
	tabling member constituency	Midlothian
	tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
	uin	22078
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office and Office for the Advocate General are currently in the process of finalising the department’s figures for financial year 2023-24. These figures are subject to external audit and the department’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2023-24 are expected to be available later this year. The budget for the department for financial year 2024-25 as agreed in Spending Review 2021 is £13.354m.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 22/04/2024 09:39:49 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1701509

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Public Expenditure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the administration costs of his Department were in each year since his appointment.
	tabling member constituency	Midlothian
	tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
	uin	22082
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office and Office for the Advocate General publish an Annual Report and Accounts which contains the information requested. The latest version can be found at <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1170084/SO_Report_2022-23_-_web_version.pdf" target="_blank">Scotland Office Annual Report 2022-23</a>. Prior year Annual Reports and Accounts for the Scotland Office and Office for the Advocate General are available online or can be obtained from the Library of the House.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 22/04/2024 09:38:36 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1696238

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scottish Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had recent discussions with the Scottish Government on the (a) reasons for which they have appointed and (b) cost of appointing an international development Minister.
	tabling member constituency	North West Leicestershire
	tabling member printed	Andrew Bridgen
	uin	18707
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2024 answer text <p>I have had no discussions with the Scottish Government in regards to the appointment of an international development Minister. Under the devolution settlement, Ministerial appointments, including pay, are a matter for the Scottish Government.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 21/03/2024 10:30:13 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4133 label Biography information for Andrew Bridgen

1695000

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Domestic Visits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the destinations were of domestic overnight visits undertaken by Ministers within their Department in each of the last three financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	17849
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2024 answer text <p>I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to UIN 17535 on 13 March 2024.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 14/03/2024 10:18:36 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1694543

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Domestic Visits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many domestic overnight visits were undertaken by Ministers within his Department in each of the last three financial years; and what the cost to the public purse was of these visits.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	17535
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government publishes on GOV.UK details of the cost of overseas Ministerial travel, including costs of travel, and on other costs (visas, accommodation, meals). But as has been the case under successive administrations, the Government does not publish granular detail on Ministers’ travel at home or abroad.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 13/03/2024 09:32:11 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1694589

	registered interest
	date	07/03/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Defamation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of the Ministerial Code, on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have informed the Law Officers that they are the defendants in a libel action in (a) their personal capacity, (b) their official position and (c) both since 19 December 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Edinburgh South
	tabling member printed	Ian Murray
	uin	17539
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2024 answer text <p>As per paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code, it is not possible to disclose whether Law Officers have or have not provided advice on such matters. Paragraph 2.13 states: “The fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority”.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 13/03/2024 09:33:54 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray

1694140

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Fraud and Maladministration
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the amount of money lost to fraud and error by his Department in each of the last three financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	17319
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government is proud of its record in proactively seeking to find and prevent more fraud in the system. We have established the dedicated Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA). In its first year, it delivered £311 million in audited counter fraud benefits.</p><p> </p><p>The PSFA produces a Fraud Landscape Report (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cross-government-fraud-landscape-annual-report-2022" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cross-government-fraud-landscape-annual-report-2022</a>). This provides data on fraud and error detection, loss and recoveries in central government, outside of the tax and welfare system. The 2020/21 Report was published in March 2023.</p><p> </p><p>There has been no reported or detected fraud and error in the Department during the last three financial years.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 12/03/2024 10:37:51 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1693765

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: WhatsApp
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what guidance his Department issues on the use of WhatsApp.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	17061
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2024 answer text <p>All Departments in central government, including arms-length bodies apply the published guidance: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-corporate-communication-channels-for-government-business" target="_blank">Using non-corporate communication channels (e.g. WhatsApp, private email, SMS) for government business</a> published by Cabinet Office in March 2023. It applies to all individuals in central government (ministers, special advisers, officials, contractors, non-executive board members and independent experts advising ministers). The Scotland Office uses the central guidance and has applied it since March 2023.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 11/03/2024 10:20:16 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1693247

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Publishing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what reports and guidance their Department has produced in the last three years; and how much was spent on their (a) printing and (b) distribution.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	16627
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2024 answer text <p>The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland (OSSS) produced the following reports during the last three years.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Reports Produced</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Spend on Printing &amp; Distribution (£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2023-24 to date</strong></p></td><td><p>OSSS Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23</p></td><td><p>859</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2023-24 to date</strong></p></td><td><p>7th Annual Report on the Implementation of the Scotland Act 2016</p></td><td><p>916</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2022-23</strong></p></td><td><p>OSSS Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22</p></td><td><p>901</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2022-23</strong></p></td><td><p>6th Annual Report on the Implementation of the Scotland Act 2016</p></td><td><p>1,140</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2021-22</strong></p></td><td><p>OSSS Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21</p></td><td><p>1,158</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2021-22</strong></p></td><td><p>5th Annual Report on the Implementation of the Scotland Act 2016</p></td><td><p>1,672</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>6,646 </strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*The Department outsources its printing and the invoices received do not split the costs between printing and distribution.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 07/03/2024 11:09:02 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1692755

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Advertising
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much funding his Department has (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on advertising in each of the last three financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	16307
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office can confirm the following costs in respect of advertising costs over the last three financial years;</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Budget (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Actual (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Difference (£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2023-24</strong></p></td><td><p>43,000</p></td><td><p>17,725</p></td><td><p>25,275</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2022-23</strong></p></td><td><p>50,000</p></td><td><p>49,893</p></td><td><p>107</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2021-22</strong></p></td><td><p>41,000</p></td><td><p>39,818</p></td><td><p>1,182</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>134,000 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>107,436 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>26,564 </strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 05/03/2024 12:52:04 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1692400

	registered interest
	date	28/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Magazine Press
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much funding his Department (a) allocated for (b) spent on magazine subscriptions in each of the last three financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	16089
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office can confirm that it has incurred the following costs in relation to the subscriptions below over the last three financial years;</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Subscription</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>FY 21-22</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>FY 22-23</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>FY 23-24</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>£</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>£</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Press and Journal</p></td><td><p>60</p></td><td><p>60</p></td><td><p>60</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Courier</p></td><td><p>60</p></td><td><p>60</p></td><td><p>60</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Financial Times</p></td><td><p>278</p></td><td><p>319</p></td><td><p>319</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Herald</p></td><td><p>80</p></td><td><p>80</p></td><td><p>80</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Spectator</p></td><td><p>131</p></td><td><p>88</p></td><td><p>100</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Telegraph</p></td><td><p>208</p></td><td><p>208</p></td><td><p>191</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Times</p></td><td><p>312</p></td><td><p>312</p></td><td><p>260</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>The Scotsman</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>130</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,229 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,127 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,200 </strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 04/03/2024 08:56:51 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1692040

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Press
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what subscriptions to (a) newspapers, (b) magazines and (c) online journals his Department has paid for in each of the last three financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	15854
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office can confirm that it has had the following subscriptions in place over the last three financial years:</p><p> </p><p>Press and Journal</p><p>The Courier</p><p>The Financial Times</p><p>The Herald</p><p>The Spectator</p><p>The Telegraph</p><p>The Times</p><p>The Scotsman</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 01/03/2024 11:40:26 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1692109

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department (a) paid in apprenticeship levy fees and (b) spent from its apprenticeship levy funds between September 2021 and August 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Feltham and Heston
	tabling member printed	Seema Malhotra
	uin	15919
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office does not employ any staff directly. The staff are employed by their parent departments primarily the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government. The payment of the apprenticeship levy and access to any funding generated is the responsibility of the employing parent departments.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 05/03/2024 12:50:22 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4253 label Biography information for Seema Malhotra

1694020

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Economic Situation: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the strength of the economy in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Moray
	tabling member printed	Douglas Ross
	uin	901758
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2024 answer text Scotland’s economy grew in 2023 and our back to work plan is working with fewer people inactive. We have achieved this alongside our priority of halving inflation.<p>I’m sure my Honourable Friend was also pleased to hear the growth measures we will take to keep Scotland prospering that were announced at the Budget today.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 06/03/2024 14:23:10 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4627 label Biography information for Douglas Ross

1694021

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Levelling Up Fund: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of levelling up funding on communities in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Fylde
	tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
	uin	901759
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government is now investing more than £2.9 billion across Levelling Up initiatives in Scotland. That's the equivalent of £538 per person in Scotland.</p><p>I have personally seen how this funding is regenerating towns, creating jobs, and empowering communities to deliver directly on their ambitions.</p> answering member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk answering member printed John Lamont question first answered 06/03/2024 14:20:55 answering member 4608 label Biography information for John Lamont
	tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1691670

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Vacancies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many and what proportion of digital posts in his Department are vacant.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	15606
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland does not currently have any digital vacancies.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 29/02/2024 10:42:40 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1691098

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Domicil
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether any non-executive directors employed in his Department are non-domiciled.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester South
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
	uin	15285
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>Non-Executive Board Members’ personal data, including those relating to personal taxation or status, are protected by the UK General Data Protection Regulation. Collection of personal data on non-dom status is not routinely collected, and is generally not required for making public appointments. If any such data was held, it could only be published if doing so was in compliance with data protection law.</p><p> </p><p>Non-Executive Board Members are not employees of the Scotland Office and act in an advisory capacity.</p><p> </p><p>Data relating to public appointments are covered by the Public Appointments Privacy Statement found here: <a href="https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/privacy" target="_blank">https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/privacy</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 27/02/2024 15:16:03 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

1691272

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Software
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much funding his Department has (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on software updates to legacy computer systems in each of the last three financial years.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Dame Nia Griffith
	uin	15397
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office has not had any funding budgeted for nor spent on software updates to legacy computer systems in the last three financial years. The Scotland Office does not have any legacy computer systems and the IT services for the department are provided by the Cabinet Office.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 27/02/2024 15:14:44 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1689088

	registered interest
	date	16/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Information Officers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many posts there are for (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications staff in his Department; and what the salary band is for each post.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	14017
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2024 answer text <p>The Scotland Office is not a direct employer and staff are seconded on either Ministry of Justice or Scottish Government terms.</p><p> </p><p>The Scotland Office press and media team is made up of five employees. Roles range from grades IO/B2 to Grade 6 and have salaries between £35,867 - £41,013 and £75,810 - £80,370.</p><p> </p><p>These figures are for the Scotland Office press and media team only.</p><p> </p><p>There are 12 other communications staff in various teams including the Director of Communications, Strategic Engagement, Visit and Events, and Digital.</p><p> </p><p>Roles range from grades A4 to SCS 1 and have salaries between £27,513 - £29,677 and £75,000 - £117,800.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 23/02/2024 10:47:32 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1688576

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Health and Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether all (a) buildings and (b) workplaces staff from their Department occupy have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under Section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	13760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2024 answer text <p>Yes; all buildings and workplaces that staff from the Scotland Office occupy have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under Section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.</p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 20/02/2024 14:15:18 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1685929

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Patrol Craft and Wind Power: Highlands of Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will hold discussions with the Scottish Government on taking steps to help support the manufacture of (a) offshore patrol vessels and (b) wind turbines in the Highland region of Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	East Lothian
	tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
	uin	12114
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to working constructively with the devolved administrations and I would be open to engaging with the Scottish Government on Maritime Patrol Vessels in the Highland region of Scotland. However, this is a devolved matter and I have not received any representations from Scottish Government Ministers.</p><p> </p><p>With regard to the manufacture of Wind Turbines, the Government has announced the £960 million Green Industries Growth Accelerator to support manufacturing capacity, including for offshore wind. This will attract private investment, see the creation of high-skilled, well-paying jobs and ensure the UK stands ready to take the opportunity presented by the Net Zero Transition.</p><p> </p><p>The Government works directly with the Scottish Government and industry through the Offshore Wind Industry Council. The Council is engaged in assessing the needs of the offshore wind supply chain, finding opportunities for its development, and the establishment of a long-term Industrial Growth Plan<strong>.</strong></p> answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 05/02/2024 14:57:39 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1686072

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2024
	answering body	Scotland Office
	answering dept id	2
	answering dept short name	Scotland
	answering dept sort name	Scotland
	hansard heading	Scotland Office: Ministerial Boxes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many ministerial red boxes belonging to his Department have been reported (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Richmond Park
	tabling member printed	Sarah Olney
	uin	12175
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2024 answer text The Scotland Office has not had any ministerial red boxes reported lost or stolen in the last three years. The departmental security unit records and investigates each reported loss from the Department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries. answering member constituency Dumfries and Galloway answering member printed Mr Alister Jack question first answered 01/02/2024 15:08:52 answering member 4619 label Biography information for Mr Alister Jack
	tabling member	4591 label Biography information for Sarah Olney