Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 18 August 2020
18 Aug 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
United Kingdom Internal Market
No, that is not the argument that I was making. Unlike Mr Rowley, I am confident that a comprehensive free trade agreement will be in place at the end of the transition period.
In her opening remarks, the minister claimed that the UK Government’s proposals will undermine devolution and create significant uncertainty for business in Scotland. However, we will not take any lectures from the minister on those areas, because, as I said, it is the SNP’s UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill that will force this Parliament to become a passive rule taker and require it to adopt new EU regulations without scrutiny, which will force businesses in Scotland to comply with the requirements of two conflicting jurisdictions. The continuity bill would effectively take—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on S5M-22437, in the name of Michael Russell, on the internal market. I advise members who wish to contribute to the de...
The Minister for Europe and International Development (Jenny Gilruth)
SNP
In 1997, the people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly—by 74 per cent to 26 per cent—to establish the Scottish Parliament. Many will have done so in order to s...
Dean Lockhart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Jenny Gilruth says that the UK Government is undermining devolution and the powers of the Scottish Government, but under the Scottish National Party’s UK Wit...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I have to say that that is completely untrue. In terms of handing back powers to Brussels, what the Tories are planning would be unlawful under EU law. Every...
Dean Lockhart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
In her opening remarks, the minister raised a number of constitutional questions surrounding the UK Government’s proposals for the internal market. Before I ...
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I understand the logic of Mr Lockhart’s argument in the current crisis that we are in. Does that logic not, therefore, mean that we should have accepted Euro...
Dean Lockhart
Con
No, that is not the argument that I was making. Unlike Mr Rowley, I am confident that a comprehensive free trade agreement will be in place at the end of the...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Dean Lockhart
Con
I will in a second—the minister should listen to this. The continuity bill would effectively take a wrecking ball to the UK internal market. The minister al...
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Dean Lockhart
Con
I will in a second, but the cabinet secretary has to listen to this. The SNP wants to surrender those powers straight back to the EU in what would be the big...
Michael Russell
SNP
Has Dean Lockhart ever been present during a debate in the chamber on, say, animal welfare or food standards, which have involved setting powers in regulatio...
Dean Lockhart
Con
I am amazed that the cabinet secretary has to ask that question. He views powers as one dimensional. Some of those additional powers relate to areas in which...
Michael Russell
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
Dean Lockhart
Con
I will give way. I encourage the cabinet secretary to accept the offer from—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Lockhart, I think that Mr Russell wants to make a point of order, rather than an intervention.
Michael Russell
SNP
Mr Lockhart is not yet the Presiding Officer. On a point of order, Presiding Officer. If you possibly can, I ask that you insist upon accuracy and do not al...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I will rule on points of accuracy; however, those are debating points.
Dean Lockhart
Con
I refer the cabinet secretary to the evidence that he gave last week to the Finance and Constitution Committee, when he said that he and officials had walked...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Dean Lockhart
Con
I have given way enough, thank you. That is why the third area of powers that are coming to this Parliament will come through the internal market proposals....
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
On the point about divergence, there is a contradiction on page 82 of the white paper, which states: “A diverging UK constituent part could increase regulat...
Dean Lockhart
Con
I am finding it difficult to pick my way through that question. However, I say to Jenny Gilruth that all the stakeholders are asking the Scottish Government ...
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I want to make a direct plea to the UK Government to recognise that any arrangements for the UK internal market must be reached by agreement among the four n...
Dean Lockhart
Con
On devolution, does Alex Rowley not recognise the massive powers that have been transferred to this Parliament by the UK Conservative Government over the pas...
Alex Rowley
Lab
Discussions on the common frameworks were progressing under Theresa May’s leadership, but since Boris Johnson came into power, he has completely ditched them...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
I call Patrick Harvie to speak to and move amendment S5M-22437.4. 15:13
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Thank you. I welcome Alex Rowley’s speech, particularly the last point that if the Tories want to damage the UK they should batter on with this plan of their...
Dean Lockhart
Con
I thank Patrick Harvie for summarising my speech. Perhaps he should write my speeches in the future. He is a strong believer in devolution and local powers. ...
Patrick Harvie
Green
I absolutely want Scotland to be a full member of the European Union with a vote and a voice in a democratic assembly that is a lot more democratic and open ...