Speeches by McAllister.

“There has been a recent slew of successful European sting operations that have resulted in the arrest of prominent individuals involved in people-smuggling gangs. Does the Minister agree that this highlights the crucial importance of international co-operation, and signals that Labour’s plan to smash the gangs is worki…”

“7. What steps she is taking to help ensure that the transport system supports economic growth.”

“BBC Scotland announced last week that the much-loved, long-running drama series “River City” will be decommissioned by the autumn of 2026. The fictional town of Shieldinch is based in my constituency of West Dunbartonshire; the set and studio are in Dumbarton. BBC Scotland is part of the wider BBC, which is a public se…”

“Scotland’s ferry network to the islands is an essential transport system. Island communities have at times been effectively cut off due to ferry chaos, disruptive cancellations and expensive repairs. The SNP has decided to inflict a 10% fare hike and sent a contract for seven new ferries to Poland. The Scottish Governm…”

“It is a pleasure, Dr Murrison, to serve under your chairship. I thank and congratulate the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) for securing this vital Westminster Hall debate. With your leave, Dr Murrison, I will begin by paying tribute to Christina McKelvie, MSP and Scottish Government Minister, who sadly died ea…”

“What work is the Department doing to ensure that the UK space sector is a launch pad for innovation and investment, and creates skilled jobs—both commercial and in the defence sector—across Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole?”

“3. What plans his Department has to support a UK space launch.”

“Quite, and I appreciate that it is a delicate balance, but earlier in your evidence, Hebe, you made reference to green technologies and said that you are desperate to roll them out. You also made reference to it not being a mismanaged transition. It seems as though today’s announcement is driven by shareholders rather …”

“How many job losses in oil and gas do you anticipate therefore in the next decade? What is your strategy to manage that decline, if it is to be a decline? How will you reduce that figure? What concrete steps is each company taking? Is it still to transition to job opportunities in the clean industry or are we seeing a …”

“We have focused a lot this morning on investor uncertainty and market uncertainty. I am more interested in employment. I will ask both of you, first of all, how many oil and gas job losses your businesses have experienced in the past decade.”

“Secretary of State, you mentioned in your answer that one of the priorities of the spending review is tackling poverty. The UK Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced last week £100 million of funding to tackle improving sports facilities. Will that be targeted specifically at areas of greatest dep…”

“Who oversees that in Scotland?”

“Bombing civilians and preventing access to basic humanitarian supplies as a tactic of war is a war crime. I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement, and for his tireless diplomacy. A call for a full, transparent investigation is welcome, as is a call to return to a ceasefire. However, given our strong opposition …”

“One of my colleagues may ask you about Project Willow after this question, but I will stick to my original question about the previous UK Government and the Scottish Government’s handling of the decision.”

“I wish to turn now specifically to Grangemouth. On 5 February redundancy letters were issued to Grangemouth workers, with at least 435 staff expected to lose their jobs. Trade unions described this as an act of industrial vandalism. Before I ask you about the Government’s role I want to ask you first about the owner’s …”

“I will ask you about the Government in a moment, but I will just ask you to focus on the company at this stage.”

“On the point that you made, Robert, some would suggest that these plans were known by both the UK and the Scottish Government for almost a decade, but at least for five years, prior to the announcement. How well did the previous UK Government and the Scottish Government handle the decision to close the refinery?”

“How long ago was that?”

“Two years ago the owners and the Scottish Government discussed the closure?”

“Can I ask you specifically to comment on the current Government’s announcement? Did you regard it as a welcome announcement in relation to the support that is there for those facing imminent redundancy?”