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I am grateful for that answer. The Stirling constituency boasts many world-class food and drink companies, such as the Glengoyne and Deanston distilleries and Graham’s the Family Dairy. What assurances can the Minister give me, if any, that during the Brexit negotiations, access to the important EU market for those excellent companies will be maintained and protected?
I am grateful for that answer. The Stirling constituency boasts many world-class food and drink companies, such as the Glengoyne and Deanston distilleries and Graham’s the Family Dairy. What assurances can the Minister give me, if any, that during the Brexit negotiations, access to the important EU market for those excellent companies will be maintained and protected?
Certainly, as I have said already, we are seeking a free trade agreement that would continue to secure such access. The Scotch Whisky Association has said that there are enormous opportunities for the sector if the UK can secure favourable bilateral trade deals across other export markets. India, for example, is a growing market for Scotch whisky, but we are being held back by a 150% tariff. The hon. Gentleman should look for the opportunities of Brexit, not be a wet blanket.
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect on the Scottish food and drink sector of the UK leaving the EU.
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect on the Scottish food and drink sector of the UK leaving the EU.
We are working closely with colleagues across Government to assess the impacts that withdrawal from the EU will have across a number of sectors in cross-cutting areas. I have had meetings with a number of stakeholders from the Scottish food and drink sector, including NFU Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and the Food and Drink Federation.
Q13
.
Steven Paterson (Stirling) (SNP):
My constituent, Mr Buchanan, has suffered several serious strokes and requires extensive care. He was deemed to have missed his appointment for an Atos assessment when Atos arrived early for the appointment and his carers had not yet helped him to get up. As a result, his benefits were stopped. Why is the Government’s welfare regime punishing vulnerable people like my constituent?
Q13
.
Steven Paterson (Stirling) (SNP):
My constituent, Mr Buchanan, has suffered several serious strokes and requires extensive care. He was deemed to have missed his appointment for an Atos assessment when Atos arrived early for the appointment and his carers had not yet helped him to get up. As a result, his benefits were stopped. Why is the Government’s welfare regime punishing vulnerable people like my constituent?
We want to ensure that we have a system that properly assesses people who apply for benefits. As the hon. Gentleman has said, and as other Members will know, there have been issues relating to the way in which the system has operated. The Department for Work and Pensions has been looking very carefully at it to ensure that it makes proper assessments and delivers the right results for people.
If she will list her official engagements for Wednesday 26 April.
If she will list her official engagements for Wednesday 26 April.
The value of Scottish exports of food and drink has doubled in the past 10 years, to £5.5 billion in 2016. This week, the chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, James Withers, said that he was afraid that the consequences of leaving the European Union without a trade deal would result in tariffs. Can the Secretary of State guarantee that the Scottish food and drink sector will not have to deal with such a situation?
The value of Scottish exports of food and drink has doubled in the past 10 years, to £5.5 billion in 2016. This week, the chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, James Withers, said that he was afraid that the consequences of leaving the European Union without a trade deal would result in tariffs. Can the Secretary of State guarantee that the Scottish food and drink sector will not have to deal with such a situation?
From my discussions with the Scottish food and drink industry, I understand that its greatest concern is that the Scottish National party would seek to drag Scotland out of the United Kingdom.
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on the potential effect on Scotland of the UK leaving the EU and reverting to WTO rules.
What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on the potential effect on Scotland of the UK leaving the EU and reverting to WTO rules.
What assessment he has made of the potential effect on the economy of the UK leaving the EU.
What assessment he has made of the potential effect on the economy of the UK leaving the EU.
As the article 50 notice letter set out very clearly, the Government are seeking to negotiate a deep and special partnership with the European Union, at the heart of which will be a comprehensive free trade agreement covering goods, services and networks. That will allow us to continue to work closely with the European Union after leaving the organisation.
The Government do carry out detailed analysis to inform their negotiating strategy, but I am sure the hon. Gentleman would not want me to reveal the outcome of that analysis, which would be of great use to our negotiating partners on the other side. That is not the way in which to get the best deal for Britain in these negotiations.
I thank the Minister for that positive response. SNP colleagues, the Scottish Government and local communities are unconvinced by the safety of ship-to-ship oil transfers, particularly in the Cromarty firth, which is a European special protection area for bottlenose dolphins. I am pleased that the Minister is prepared to take up the case with Scottish Ministers, and I wonder whether he would consider devolving powers, which I think is appropriate, so that such decisions could be taken in Scotland.
I thank the Minister for that positive response. SNP colleagues, the Scottish Government and local communities are unconvinced by the safety of ship-to-ship oil transfers, particularly in the Cromarty firth, which is a European special protection area for bottlenose dolphins. I am pleased that the Minister is prepared to take up the case with Scottish Ministers, and I wonder whether he would consider devolving powers, which I think is appropriate, so that such decisions could be taken in Scotland.
We will certainly be consulting, as I just said. I understand that the original application from the Cromarty Firth port authority was not suitable and that it is looking to make a further application. If one is submitted, there will be a full consultation exercise, and the Scottish Government will be formally consulted.
What recent discussions he has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on the devolution of powers on ship-to-ship transfers.
What recent discussions he has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on the devolution of powers on ship-to-ship transfers.
Neither I nor the Minister responsible for this issue, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr Hayes), has had any contact with the Scottish Government so far about the devolution of ship-to-ship transfers. However, the Minister of State wrote to Scottish Ministers earlier this month, acknowledging that the permitting arrangements for granting oil transfer licences for ship-to-ship transfers needed improvement. Our intention is to review the process around the application and assessment of licences in consultation with the devolved Administrations later this year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency provision his Department has made for changes in the cost to the UK of Lightning II jets as a result of changes in the number of orders for such aircraft worldwide.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency provision his Department has made for changes in the cost to the UK of Lightning II jets as a result of changes in the number of orders for such aircraft worldwide.
We remain committed to the F-35 programme and, as per the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, we plan to buy 138 Lightning aircraft over the life of the programme. The Department has appropriate contingency in place to ensure that the F-35 programme delivers on time and to the approved cost.
Some 472,000 people who have retired to the EU currently get automatic increases in the state pension, but it is unclear whether this Government will strike a deal on that after departure from the EU, if they manage to do so. Can the Minister guarantee today that elderly EU expats will not join the 550,000 retirees whose payments no longer increase in line with the state pension triple lock?
Some 472,000 people who have retired to the EU currently get automatic increases in the state pension, but it is unclear whether this Government will strike a deal on that after departure from the EU, if they manage to do so. Can the Minister guarantee today that elderly EU expats will not join the 550,000 retirees whose payments no longer increase in line with the state pension triple lock?
The Prime Minister has been clear that she wants to protect the rights of British citizens currently living in European member states, in the way that we want to protect the status of EU nationals already living here. That will clearly be an important matter for negotiation in the months ahead.
What assessment he has made of the policy implications for his Department of the UK leaving the EU.
What assessment he has made of the policy implications for his Department of the UK leaving the EU.
Every Government Department is preparing for a smooth and orderly exit from the European Union. We are confident that we will be able to secure a deal that works in the mutual interests of both the UK and the rest of the EU. We are considering various policy options.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate Lightning II jets.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate Lightning II jets.
As at 17 March 2017, eight RAF and five Royal Navy pilots have been trained to operate the F35 Lightning aircraft.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots his Department plans to train to operate Lightning II jets in each of the next 10 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots his Department plans to train to operate Lightning II jets in each of the next 10 years.
The F-35 Lightning programme will train sufficient pilots to deliver operational requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department will respond to Sir John Parker's Independent Report to inform the UK National Shipbuilding Strategy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department will respond to Sir John Parker's Independent Report to inform the UK National Shipbuilding Strategy.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 February 2017 to Question 64890 to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Wayne David).
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment has been carried out on the resilience of computer systems on-board the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment has been carried out on the resilience of computer systems on-board the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Testing of the computer systems used on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers has been undertaken both on-board, as well as at a dedicated shore-based mission system integration facility.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently in her test and integration phase to demonstrate the readiness of her on-board systems to begin sea trials this summer.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to employ service personnel for specialist roles in the Carrier Strike Group.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to employ service personnel for specialist roles in the Carrier Strike Group.
As part of Joint Force 2025, the Royal Navy continues to develop and deliver the individual training that will enable personnel to operate and maintain safely all the equipment and systems required to run the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pilots his Department plans to train to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in each of the next 10 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pilots his Department plans to train to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in each of the next 10 years.
I am withholding this information as providing planned numbers would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. However, the P8-A programme will train sufficient pilots to deliver operational requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are trained to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
There are currently seven RAF pilots who have been trained to operate P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as at 20 March 2017.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of savings accrued to the public purse by his Department no longer printing out messages for soldiers while on operation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of savings accrued to the public purse by his Department no longer printing out messages for soldiers while on operation.
The new service for enabling communication between Service personnel on operations and their families and friends is being introduced on 1 April 2017. Printed messages will still be provided to deployed personnel and any savings made will be reinvested into the improvement and development of the welfare services available to deployed personnel, such as increased Wi-Fi capabilities.