Backbench debate on Thursday, 6 February 2014, in the House of Commons, led by William Bain. The answering member was Alistair Carmichael.

Scotland’s Place in the UK

Twenty-seventh backbench debate (part one). Motion that this House has considered Scotland's place in the UK. Agreed to on question.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 575 cc457-506
Session: 2013-14
Department: Scotland Office
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: The referendum on separation for Scotland: the need for truth. Scottish Affairs Committee second report with formal minutes.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons
Proceeding contributions: Lindsay Hoyle | 575 c457 (Link to this contribution)
There will be an opening speech of 10 minutes. I warn everybody that there will be a five-minute ...; William Bain | 575 c457 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered Scotland’s place in the UK.
Let me begi...; Wayne David | 575 c457 (Link to this contribution)
In this debate on the future of the Union, will my hon. Friend acknowledge that the Union is not ...; William Bain | 575 cc457-8 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend makes an important point and I am pleased that we have Members from all parts of t...; Jonathan Edwards | 575 c458 (Link to this contribution)
As I understand the position of the Labour party in Scotland, it favours the full devolution of i...; Lindsay Hoyle | 575 c458 (Link to this contribution)
It might help Mr Edwards to know that he was on the list to speak, and I do not want to keep bang...; William Bain | 575 c458 (Link to this contribution)
I want to keep the focus on positivity in this debate, and I would simply point out to the hon. M...; Angus Robertson | 575 c458 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman says he wants to make a positive case. In a debate about significant constitut...; William Bain | 575 cc459-460 (Link to this contribution)
That is an odd intervention, because I am looking forward to my party conference in Perth—I have ...; Lord Tyrie | 575 c460 (Link to this contribution)
Unusually, I agree with just about every word I have just heard from the Opposition Benches.
<...; Viscount Thurso | 575 c460 (Link to this contribution)
Was my hon. Friend struck, as I was, by the Treasury output graphs that we saw at the end of Gove...; Lord Tyrie | 575 cc460-1 (Link to this contribution)
I think it crucial for us to understand that a banking union could well trigger the migration of ...; Stewart Hosie | 575 c461 (Link to this contribution)
The Chair of the Treasury Committee is making an interesting assessment, but what he is saying is...; Lord Tyrie | 575 cc461-2 (Link to this contribution)
Countries in the eurozone were required to abide by the stability and growth pact, and look where...; Lord Sarwar | 575 cc462-3 (Link to this contribution)
The next few months will be big ones for Scotland. The decision that Scots will make on 18 Septem...; William Cash | 575 c463 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give us an idea of his colleagues’ thinking about the extent to which the...; Lord Sarwar | 575 c463 (Link to this contribution)
That is an interesting point. The hon. Gentleman, like everyone else, will have to wait for our f...; Ian Jnr Paisley | 575 c463 (Link to this contribution)
I certainly agree with the thrust of my hon. Friend’s comments so far. I was alarmed when I read ...; Lord Sarwar | 575 cc463-4 (Link to this contribution)
Given the continuous pursuit of positivity, I must point out that that quote was not from a leadi...; Ann McKechin | 575 c464 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend share my surprise that a Government who have the power to introduce further p...; Lord Sarwar | 575 c464 (Link to this contribution)
That demonstrates that we have a Government in Scotland who are determined to win women’s votes b...; Michael Moore | 575 cc464-5 (Link to this contribution)
I congratulate the Backbench Business Committee on allocating the time for this important debate....; Lord Bruce of Bennachie | 575 c465 (Link to this contribution)
Is my right hon. Friend aware of the concern among some businesses that have taken advantage of U...; Michael Moore | 575 cc465-6 (Link to this contribution)
That would be a terribly sad situation. Last March, I was part of an energy showcase in Rio de Ja...; Baroness Clark of Kilwinning | 575 c466 (Link to this contribution)
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the evidence given by the Business Secretary yesterday to th...; Michael Moore | 575 cc466-7 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend’s evidence has been well reported, and most people who look sensibly at the ...; Jim Hood | 575 c467 (Link to this contribution)
My first comment will come as no surprise to any of my colleagues in here, including the Secretar...; Baroness Clark of Kilwinning | 575 c467 (Link to this contribution)
I very much welcome my hon. Friend’s comment that his views are not based on whether individual S...; Jim Hood | 575 c468 (Link to this contribution)
Well, of course. Wherever we see poverty, we have empathy with those who are suffering it. As we ...; Lindsay Hoyle | 575 c468 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Time is up, unfortunately, much as I wanted to hear more. I call Rory Stewart.
1.8 p...; Rory Stewart | 575 c468 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker.
One thousand nine hundred years ago, Rome divided B...; Frank Roy | 575 c468 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is an expert in foreign affairs. Can he tell the House how much stronger Scotl...; Rory Stewart | 575 cc468-9 (Link to this contribution)
There are two answers to that question. First, Scotland must of course embrace the potential of b...; Sandra Osborne | 575 cc469-470 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart), who is a fe...; Gerald Howarth | 575 c470 (Link to this contribution)
I support everything that the hon. Lady has said. Does she recall that James VI of Scotland, who ...; Sandra Osborne | 575 cc470-1 (Link to this contribution)
I am a proud member of Unite the Union, but the hon. Gentleman’s Scottish history is obviously mu...; Robert Smith | 575 cc471-2 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (Sandra Osborne) and I co...; Mike Weir | 575 c472 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman talks about being part of a larger economy. Norway is not part of a larger eco...; Robert Smith | 575 c472 (Link to this contribution)
Norway is far more dominated by the oil and gas sector and has a successful economy, but if there...; Gerald Howarth | 575 c472 (Link to this contribution)
Having talked to some businessmen in Scotland, I have discovered there is a feeling of nervousnes...; Robert Smith | 575 cc472-3 (Link to this contribution)
There is an undercurrent of a bullying culture in respect of some of the voices that come forward...; Pete Wishart | 575 c473 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Sir Robert Smit...; David Mundell | 575 c473 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Can you confirm that next Tuesday the SNP is in control o...; Lindsay Hoyle | 575 c473 (Link to this contribution)
Order. That matter is on the record and certainly does not need my confirmation.; Pete Wishart | 575 c473 (Link to this contribution)
What a chance; what an opportunity: on 18 September this year we can make the choice to become a ...; Lindsay Hoyle | 575 c473 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Can I have a bit of calm? In fairness, it has been a good-hearted debate so far, and I kno...; Pete Wishart | 575 cc473-4 (Link to this contribution)
We will ease pretty seamlessly into a new independent status. The day after we secure a new natio...; Mike Weir | 575 c474 (Link to this contribution)
Will my hon. Friend give way?; Pete Wishart | 575 c474 (Link to this contribution)
Of course I will.; 575 c474 (Link to this contribution)
Oh!; Mike Weir | 575 c474 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend will no doubt remember, as I do, campaigning in the first referendum on devolution...; Pete Wishart | 575 c474 (Link to this contribution)
I do indeed remember that, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing that up because it ha...; Lord Sarwar | 575 c474 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Pete Wishart | 575 cc474-5 (Link to this contribution)
I am not giving way. I do not like where the UK is going at all. I do not have much time, so I wi...; Robert Smith | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is putting an emotional case for independence, but he is not taking on board t...; Pete Wishart | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
I have had enough of that “You cannae do that stuff”, so I thank the hon. Gentleman. We have a de...; Lindsay Hoyle | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
I want to hear the hon. Gentleman. It is not fair that you are enjoying yourselves. I want to hea...; Pete Wishart | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
We have listened to their speeches with as much respect as possible, but we are shouted down. It ...; Iain Stewart | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
I am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I start by congratu...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Iain Stewart | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
I have a great affection for the hon. Gentleman so I will give way.; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c475 (Link to this contribution)
What sort of birthday present does the hon. Gentleman think the people of Scotland would like to ...; Iain Stewart | 575 c476 (Link to this contribution)
There are some very good distilleries, and I have a taste for the water of life, so I would be ha...; Bob Stewart | 575 c476 (Link to this contribution)
May I point out that the influence of Scotland is enormous? There are three Stewarts on the Gover...; Lindsay Hoyle | 575 c476 (Link to this contribution)
I think there may be a question there.; Iain Stewart | 575 cc476-7 (Link to this contribution)
My fellow clansman puts the point eloquently. Scotland punches above her weight in the United Kin...; Michael McCann | 575 cc477-8 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow such a thoughtful and emotional contribution from the hon. Member for ...; Ian Murray | 575 c478 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech, not just dissecting the White Paper as what it is, a ...; Michael McCann | 575 c478 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. There are many more examples and each page of the documen...; Brian H Donohoe | 575 c478 (Link to this contribution)
Is it not also the case that the UK has not been invaded by a foreign body for more than 750 year...; Michael McCann | 575 c479 (Link to this contribution)
I will defer to my hon. Friend on the amount of time, given that hewas probably there for most of...; Gerald Howarth | 575 cc479-480 (Link to this contribution)
I am delighted to follow the powerful contribution made by the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Str...; Jim McGovern | 575 c480 (Link to this contribution)
I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is aware that since the second world war, the MOD has never pla...; Gerald Howarth | 575 cc480-1 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right, and it is terribly important that the people of Scotland ...; Ian Jnr Paisley | 575 c481 (Link to this contribution)
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that a division in this wonderful Union would have an unsettling an...; Gerald Howarth | 575 c481 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to make that analogy and to point to the unforeseen conseq...; Graeme Morrice | 575 cc481-2 (Link to this contribution)
I add my own congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow North East (Mr Bain) on sec...; Lord Dodds of Duncairn | 575 c482 (Link to this contribution)
It is important to point out that Scotland is linked not only to England, but to Wales and Northe...; Graeme Morrice | 575 c482 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s intervention and fully understand that there are major cultu...; Iain McKenzie | 575 c482 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend agree that upon independence the border would become a barrier to business wi...; Graeme Morrice | 575 cc482-3 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that intervention. On day one of independence, were Scots to ...; Lindsay Roy | 575 c483 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for giving way and for making a very positive case. Will he remind the Hou...; Graeme Morrice | 575 c483 (Link to this contribution)
Scotland benefits disproportionately from the Barnett formula to the tune of £1,400 per capita be...; John Stevenson | 575 cc483-5 (Link to this contribution)
I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak in this debate, and to speak not just as a Member ...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c485 (Link to this contribution)
Se urram mhor a tha ann dhomh an diugh cothrom bruidhinn air Alba a bhi neo-eisimeileachd.
...; Iain Stewart | 575 c485 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman has made a very interesting point. If, heaven forfend, there is a yes vote on ...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c486 (Link to this contribution)
No, I will not, but others are free to campaign for that if they so choose and to do so if they w...; Mike Weir | 575 c486 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend remember all the claims made for devolution by those in the Tory party who sa...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c486 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend makes a great point. Labour is out of power in Scotland, and, like the Liberals an...; Brian H Donohoe | 575 c486 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c486 (Link to this contribution)
My time is limited.
Our concern should be improving lives in Lochaber, better quality jobs ...; Baroness Curran | 575 c486 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c487 (Link to this contribution)
Time does not allow.
Only this week, the Financial Times backs this with the immortal line—...; Baroness Laing of Elderslie | 575 c487 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The House must listen to the hon. Gentleman.; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 cc487-8 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. I hope that Labour Members feel suitably chastised. Th...; Viscount Thurso | 575 c488 (Link to this contribution)
What a considerable pleasure it is to follow the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c488 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Viscount Thurso | 575 cc488-9 (Link to this contribution)
Do sit down, dear boy.
When I originally put my name down to speak in this debate, I intend...; Gemma Doyle | 575 cc489-490 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to be able to contribute to this debate. The first priority of any responsible G...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c490 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Lady give way?; Gemma Doyle | 575 c490 (Link to this contribution)
I will not, I am afraid: I do not have much time.
We pool our resources and work together t...; Jeremy Lefroy | 575 c490 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Gemma Doyle).
I speak i...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c491 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman makes an interesting point about the nations that stood together under the all...; Jeremy Lefroy | 575 c491 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for saying that, and he is absolutely right. We must remember all the ...; Gregg McClymont | 575 cc491-2 (Link to this contribution)
The debate has been interesting so far, particularly the contributions of Scottish National party...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c492 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Gregg McClymont | 575 c492 (Link to this contribution)
Perhaps after I have made some progress.
We share tastes, preferences and of course a commo...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c492 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Gregg McClymont | 575 c492 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman should allow me to develop my argument a little further.
The SNP wants t...; Mark Lazarowicz | 575 c492 (Link to this contribution)
Will not the Scottish Government’s proposals lead to an incredible democratic deficit? At the mom...; Gregg McClymont | 575 cc492-3 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend makes a good point. There is a very Scottish way of putting it: the nationalists w...; 575 c493 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Baroness Laing of Elderslie | 575 c493 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Before we go any further, I should point out to the House that there is a time limit on sp...; Bob Stewart | 575 cc493-4 (Link to this contribution)
My father, Squadron Leader Jock Stewart, MC, was an RAF officer from Glasgow. My mother was from ...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c494 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Bob Stewart | 575 c494 (Link to this contribution)
No, I have heard too much rubbish from the hon. Gentleman this afternoon.
About 700,000 Sco...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c494 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Bob Stewart | 575 c494 (Link to this contribution)
No.
Scottish men and women form an integral part of our armed forces. I would grieve hugely...; Tom Clarke | 575 cc494-5 (Link to this contribution)
In the short time available to me, I will focus on the referendum and the issue of independence.<...; Cathy Jamieson | 575 cc495-6 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow some interesting speeches and in the brief time available I want to pi...; William Cash | 575 c496 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Lady give way?; Cathy Jamieson | 575 c496 (Link to this contribution)
I am terribly sorry but I do not have time to take interventions as other Members want to speak. ...; Pete Wishart | 575 c496 (Link to this contribution)
Let’s start here.; Cathy Jamieson | 575 cc496-7 (Link to this contribution)
I hear the hon. Gentleman baying at me across the Benches, but my point is that many of my consti...; Michael Connarty | 575 cc497-8 (Link to this contribution)
I wear a badge in this House and in Scotland that has on it the saltire and the rose. It states: ...; Fiona O'Donnell | 575 cc498-9 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to contribute to this debate. Scotland has a proud and distinct history within t...; Iain McKenzie | 575 cc499-500 (Link to this contribution)
I will endeavour to be as brief as possible, because I know that other Members are still waiting ...; Sheila Gilmore | 575 c500 (Link to this contribution)
One of the laziest forms of political argument is to put up a straw man, knock it down and think ...; Baroness Curran | 575 cc500-3 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer and welcome to your position—I mean Madam Deputy Sp...; Alistair Carmichael | 575 cc503-4 (Link to this contribution)
Let me begin by congratulating the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Mr Bain) on securing the d...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c504 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman says that some questions need to be answered. We know that some of them ...; Alistair Carmichael | 575 cc504-5 (Link to this contribution)
The answers to those questions, if they were ever to be posed, would not be given by the European...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 575 c505 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Alistair Carmichael | 575 cc505-6 (Link to this contribution)
It was not worth taking the hon. Gentleman’s last intervention, so I am not going to take this on...; William Bain | 575 c506 (Link to this contribution)
With the leave of the House, Madam Deputy Speaker, I shall sum up.
We have had an interesti...
Subjects: Devolution European Union Economic policy Politics and government Overseas trade Scotland Sovereignty Sterling
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on www.publications.parliament.uk

Scotland’s Place in the UK

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