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Proceeding contribution from Pete Wishart (Scottish National Party) in the House of Commons on Friday, 9 September 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill on Legislation (Territorial Extent) Bill.


Legislation (Territorial Extent) Bill

I want to make some progress, if I may, and I think that we have probably dealt with that particular issue. The Scottish National party did not take an interest in the Health and Social Care Bill that was debated here this week, although there were technical and consequential measures in the Bill that were to do with Scotland. Those measures, however, were dealt with by the Scottish Parliament. A legislative consent motion was passed in that Parliament that agreed to allow this House to legislate in that way, so why any Scottish Member should need to vote on that Bill, I do not know. If English Members want to destroy their health service through this part-privatisation, that is a matter for them. I can only say thank goodness that we have an SNP Government in Scotland who will not embark on that kind of nonsense and who will never adopt such a rubbishy part-privatisation approach to the health service there. The Health and Social Care Bill is a matter for English Members. That illustrates the beauty of Tam's question, posed all those years ago in all its rhetorical glory. Would I like English Members of Parliament trying to impose their view in Scotland? Of course I would not. Scottish Members should therefore give English Members the same respect when it comes to English decisions, however faulty or ridiculous they might be. If English Members want to do that to their health service, that is up to them.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
532 c688 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Jurisdiction Legislation Ministerial duties West Lothian question English votes for English laws
Legislation
Legislation (Territorial Extent) Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk