SNP MPs will today inundate Commons question-time with a barrage of questions about Scotland and the European Union in a co-ordinated effort to put the UK Government on the spot.
Among 15 questions tabled for Scottish Questions, nine are all the same, asking David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary “what assessment he has made of the potential effect on Scotland of the UK leaving the EU”.
A senior Nationalist source said: “This is a co-ordinated effort; the first opportunity since the Scottish elections to put the UK Government on the spot and ensure Scotland gets the respect it deserves in the referendum process.”
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While it is thought at least one question will cover whether or not David Cameron would approve a second independence referendum should Scotland be dragged out of the EU against its will, Mr Mundell will be quizzed on a range of EU-related topics.
A party spokesman explained: ''The SNP MPs’ questions cover all sections of the Scottish economy in relation to education, the NHS, renewables and agriculture, emphasising the overwhelming case for remaining part of the EU.”
He added they would also call for the “desperately needed positive campaign; something sadly lacking thus far''.
Meantime, at a briefing in Edinburgh yesterday by the Scotland Stronger In Europe campaign, it was claimed Scottish votes could prove "crucial" to the overall outcome as a Survation poll placed support for remaining in the EU at 76 per cent north of the border.
READ MORE: Iain Duncan Smith: European Union is a "force for social injustice"
Jayne-Anne Gadhia, a member of the group’s advisory board, said: "Scotland's economic prosperity is critically linked to equal access to the biggest single market in the world. It is inconceivable that we could have the same equality of access to the single market if we leave the EU."
John Edward, a senior campaign spokesman, added: "The Scottish turnout and the Scottish vote in this election shows every sign of being influential if not crucial to the overall turnout in the UK. So every Scot who does vote on the 23rd will know that their vote is making a very substantial difference."
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