Alister Jack has admitted a second referendum on independence could happen in the future but insisted it was not what most Scots voters wanted at the present time.
The Scottish Secretary also played down any SNP attempt to turn the next general election into a "de facto" vote on ending the Union.
The Tory minister made his first appearance at the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster today since the Supreme Court ruled that Holyrood did not have the power to call a referendum without the prior approval of the UK Government.
