Live Scotland Questions House of Commons

public safety. Join me for a round-up of the day from both Houses

of Parliament at 11pm. First, questions for Secretary of State for

Scotland, David Mundell. Order. Questions to the Secretary of State

for Scotland. Mr Speaker, before I answer this question can I begin by

commending you not just on your attendance at the Davis Cup

semifinal in Glasgow, but for the enthusiasm with which you got behind

Team GB in that momentous win. I'm sure you will join me in not only

wishing are Team GB the best in the final, but also confirming that

Glasgow has once again demonstrated with the world gymnastic

Championships, and is a great sporting city. The UK Government has

given local communities the final say on new onshore wind development

in England. Planning for onshore wind is a matter devolved to the

Scottish parliament, and sadly the Scottish Government kept it to

themselves. I would ask them to look closely at the policy of

protect our natural landscapes. I protect our natural landscapes. I

will be there in person to support the team, all being well. True

as closely as possible with the as closely as possible with the

people, in Scotland, in Wales, and in Northern Ireland. Does the

Secretary of State deplore the centralising policies of the current

Scottish and Welsh governments, who Scottish and Welsh governments, who

seem to think they know better than the people in the communities of

Scotland and Wales? I absolutely Scotland and Wales? I absolutely

current Scottish Government is one current Scottish Government is one

of the most centralising government is on record, routinely

the wishes of local people and the wishes of local people

authorities. We are delivering authorities. We are delivering

devolution to Scotland. Let us see devolution delivered within

Scotland. The Secretary of State will be aware of the case of the

eco-park in my constituency, which has the support of the local

community. Developers worked diligently to secure planning

permission from the council. Despite the support, the development is

threatened by the regressive approach his government has taken,

putting local jobs at risk. Would he agree to look again at this case

which has been penalised by its responsible approach to community

engagement around planning issues? I am always happy to look at

individual cases and I would be delighted to meet with her and hear

more about the case she is setting out. Would he agree that the

Scottish parliament could learn a lot from the devolution debate

within England... LAUGHTER

And would he encourage the Scottish parliament to devolve more

responsibilities and powers to local government, including elected mayor

is for the cities of Scotland? I absolutely agree with him, and that

response of SNP members says it all, they know better than local people.

Let us see decision-making and Lord Smith's individual recommendations

honoured in Scotland. In addition to honoured in Scotland. In addition to

this question, there is question after question today from the

Nationalists questioning the powers Nationalists questioning the powers

of the Scottish Parliament. But the truth is this, they have missed

accident and emergency waiting time in Scotland for six years, more than

6000 children leave primary school unable to read properly, and

Scotland is facing a housing crisis. When I visited Edinburgh a

week or so ago, I was stunned at the level of wrath speaking in the city,

more than compatible cities. Shouldn't they be sorting out things

for which they are responsible instead of demanding more powers? I

have been generous. The Scotland Bill will make the Scottish

Parliament the most powerful devolved parliament in the world.

What is required now is to hear from the SNP and the Scottish Government

has the will use these parliaments. They provide arguments about

process, but they do not want to tell us what they will do or follow

it through with action. It is difficult to hear with the noise

from the Labour Party. The only damage to onshore wind comes from

the honourable members' government. If only they would take control of

inter-island freights -- flights. You can learn a lot from the number

of SNP people who won the boats. He could learn a lot from the leader of

the Western Isles Council, who is keen to have confirmation that the

Scottish Government will devolve responsibility for the Crown estate

to the Western Isles, a measure which the honourable gentleman does

not appear to support. The honourable gentleman is the chair of

the energy and climate change committee, and I ask him to behave

in the statesman-like manner that would be expected of such a high

officeholder as he is. We might learn about onshore wind

Michelle Thompson. The provision of Michelle Thompson. The provision of

an extra runway for either Gatwick an extra runway for either Gatwick

or Heathrow will likely require related infrastructure improvements

to be met from the public purse. Given that the money spent will

include a population share, a financial consideration from

Scottish taxpayers, will it be taxation without representation, or

can the Secretary of State guarantee that Scottish MPs in this House will

have a vote... Order. I am genuinely trying to be helpful to members. But

can I ask members to look at the terms of the question on the paper.

Is very specifically about onshore wind planning. We must move on. As

part of its ongoing transformation, HMRC will be making face-to-face

announcements to all 170 officers, to all staff, describing weird it's

offices will be. -- at its 170 officers. The office in Cumbernauld

is in serious danger because of debt management and privatisation and

proposed office Mergers. What will he do to protect the jobs of these

employees? HMRC will be making an announcement in the next few days in

terms of its long-term plan, but it is right that they seek to find

savings in terms of its property costs to ensure that the money can

be used to improve customer service and get taxes in. The Scotland Bill

delivers the Smith Commission agreement in full. I have tabled

amendments that strengthen the bill, and look forward to returning it to

the House for debate next week. It represents another milestone in

making the Scottish Parliament one of the most powerful devolved

parliaments in the world. The Smith Commission identified that

Scotland's budget should be no larger or smaller as a result of the

initial transfer of new powers, and recommended that the Scottish and UK

governments work together to agree a funding framework for Scotland. Can

he reassure my constituents that this framework will be in place to

accompany the devolution of further powers so that the funding is not at

first affected? Yes. Would my right honourable friend agree that rather

than relying on subsidies from London, the Scottish Government

should use its tax-raising powers to pay for the services provided to the

people of Scotland? I do not recognise the honourable

gentleman's description of the Barnett formula, which will remain

in place. But the reality now is that the Scottish Parliament will

have significant powers over tax, or over welfare, and it is time that

the SNP told us what they will do with them. It is interesting that he

did not take the opportunity to condemn the views of his

conservative colleagues who believe that Scotland is subsidised. Only 9%

of people in Scotland believe that the Barrow has been delivered. --

vow. The financial framework of the bill is crucial. He was only able to

give a 1 word answer to my colleague, so will he elaborate and

tell us when the UK Government will update this Parliament on the

progress that has been made on the fiscal framework? I am sorry that he

did not read my written ministerial statement which was lodged in the

House on Monday, which up dated the House on the progress of the fiscal

framework, but what I recognise in relation to his comments are these

words from the Daily Record editorial, Morden, moan, whinge,

does not want the new powers because does not want the new powers because

it makes them accountable to the it makes them accountable to the

people of Scotland. The Secretary of State for Scotland has had a second

opportunity to condemn the views from his own backbenchers that

Scotland is subsidised. I challenge him to come to the dispatch box and

this associate himself with these views. Can he give us some detail on

what is going on between the Treasury and the Scottish Government

and give and I shouldn't that there will be no detrimental implications

for people in Scotland? Not only does the right honourable

gentleman not read written ministerial statements, he didn't

even listen to my answer to my colleague. He didn't listen to the

answer to my colleague, so perhaps he can read Hansard. But the reality

is, the powers that are being delivered to the Scottish Parliament

will make it the most powerful will make it the most powerful

devolved parliament in the world. But rather than tell us what they'll

do with those powers, it is grievance and grudge. So we'll tax

credits, which the Scottish Parliament themselves acknowledge

can be topped up, be topped up by the SNP, yes or no? Thank you, Mr

Speaker. Can I take this opportunity to pay tribute to our Armed Forces?

We pay tribute to them for their sacrifice to our country this

Armistice weekend. Scottish and UK ministers have said repeatedly that

the fiscal framework negotiations will be concluded this autumn. Can

the Secretary of State explain why they have been delayed until January

at the earliest? As I set out in my written ministerial statement, the

position is that the UK government is proceeding at the moment towards

the Comprehensive Spending Review, which I'm sure the honourable

gentleman Access is a major task, and shortly thereafter the Scottish

Government will proceed with the Scottish draft budget. When I met

with the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, last week he gave me the

confidence that he wants to reach a fiscal framework agreement and that

is certainly the position of the United Kingdom government and that

is why I was able to answer the honourable lady from Lanark and

Hamilton East as I did. Mr Speaker, I thank the Secretary of State for

that answer but Scotland's First Minister has warned that the SNP

government may reject the Scotland bill if, as I quote, they complain

framework is not fair to Scotland. It is clear they are looking for any

excuse to delay further powers for Scotland so I ask the Secretary of

State, can he assure this has the fiscal framework will be agreed

before the Scottish Parliament is dissolved in March, and can he

explain why both he and the SNP are conspiring to make this agreement

delivered behind closed doors with no public transparency, which begs

the question, what are they trying to hide? As the honourable gentleman

well knows, a statement has been published after each meeting of the

joint exchequer committee. I take John Swinney and the Scottish

Government at face value that they want to reach a fair agreement for

Scotland. The UK government wants to reach a fair agreement for

Scotland. It is in all our interests and I am confident that that will be

achieved. Number four, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, with permission, I will

answer questions four and 11 together. I have regular discussions

with adaptive First Minister John Swinney and our officials are in

close contact. -- Deputy First Minister. Have having failed to

acknowledge the question from my honourable friend two times already,

with the Secretary of State now disassociates himself from the

comments of his colleague suggested that Scotland is subsidised? And

beyond that, the fiscal framework that allows the Scottish Government

the flexibility to pursue separate fiscal policies from the damaging

policies progressed by this UK government, ensuring the highest

levels of transparency, will the Secretary of State provide the House

with a timetable for the publication of a draft fiscal framework? The

comments that were made in the written ministerial statement on

Monday set out about the fiscal framework agreement is likely to

come after the Comprehensive Spending Review and the draft

Scottish budget has been completed. Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is the

fourth opportunity now for the Secretary of State to disassociates

himself with those comments around Scotland being subsidy junkies. Will

he do so? But will he also confirmed that the negotiations around the

fiscal framework are happening between the Treasury and the

Scottish Government and he is relying on a Scottish lord to advise

those negotiations? Will he confirm that? Mr Speaker, it is obviously

clear that the Scottish National Party don't listen to answers. If

they read Hansard, you will see the response that I gave to my

colleague. In relation to the fiscal framework, it's an agreement and who

is the guy shooting on behalf of the Scottish Government? John Swinney,

the Deputy First Minister. -- who is negotiating. They don't have much

confidence in his ability to reach a fair deal for Scotland. Mr Speaker,

at the weekend, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party announced that

a future Scottish Labour government would use the powers of the Scotland

bill to compensate people for money they will lose because of the

Tories' cuts to tax credits. I'm sure the Secretary of State would

not like to see that happen but can he confirm that the new powers

contained in the Scotland bill will give the Scottish Parliament the

ability to top up tax credits? I don't agree with cosier Dugdale but

at least she's got the guts to stand up and say she will put up taxes and

she will put up tax credits. The SNP have said precisely nothing.

Instead, they want an argument about process instead of telling us what

they are going to do with these important new powers. Mr Speaker, it

is the Secretary of State... Number five. Ministers have had discussions

with the Leader of the House on English votes and their impairment

Asian. They are sensible and pragmatic steps but do nothing to

limit Scottish MPs' rights to represent their constituents.

Forgive my impatience, as ever. If the Secretary of State as concerned

as I am that the Barnett principles which affect all three devolved

nations are not clearly spelt out and safeguarded in the new

arrangements, and will he take this 5th of June two 2 explain what is

happening with the fiscal compound? -- fifth opportunity to explain. The

changes to standing orders do not make any difference to the Estimates

process and I know when my right honourable friend, the Leader of the

House, challenged honourable members to provide examples of where they

would be difficulties, nose apples could be provided. Mr Speaker, as

the procedure committee is planning to hold and inquiry on the manner in

which this House deals with estimates, can I try are more friend

to defer having any conversations with his Cabinet colleagues until

the report is to hand? What I can say is that the government will do

very carefully at what the procedures committee has to say in

terms of any reforms of the estimates process, which is

ultimately a matter for the House. Question six, Mr Speaker. Health

spending is a devolved matter and the Scottish Government is

responsible for the NHS in Scotland. It is up to the Scottish

Government to decide how best to use their funding and deliver health

services in Scotland. The UK Government is happy to share good

practice with the Scottish Government to help ensure people

living in Scotland receive high-quality health care.

Discussions between UK health ministers take place where

necessary. I thank the Minister for that answer but has he seen the

recent Audit Scotland report, which shows that the Scottish Government

has completely failed to pass on health spending increases from this

government, resulting in a 0.7% reduction in spending in Scotland

between 2008-9 and 2014-15. I have seen that reporter my honourable

friend is right to bring that report to the attention of the House. The

reality is that a Conservative government has shown more commitment

to public spending on the NHS in England than an SNP led government

has done in Scotland. We now have English votes for English laws on

issues such as health spending in England. Does the Minister not think

it is time for Scottish members for Scottish business? Scottish business

for Scottish ministers, and Scottish ministers to answer Scottish

questions in this House? I noticed that the honourable gentleman raises

the issue of English votes for English laws and get very worked up

about it. Can I just remind him and the House of what he said just a

year ago, in terms of English votes for English laws, an issue that the

Scottish people could not care less about. That does not seem to be his

approach any more. Question seven, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, recorded

incidents of anti-Semitism in Scotland are thankfully low but I'm

not complacent. I echo the Prime Minister's view. Tackling

anti-Semitism goes right in the heart of what we stand for as a

country. Whatever our politics and our faith, we must look to defeat

it. 15 Scottish MPs attended a briefing by the all-party group on

anti-Semitism last week. With the goodwill that clearly exists, will

be minister talk with the Scottish Government about how the system of

state funded security in Jewish schools in England could be emulated

in Glasgow? I certainly will and I'm very happy to do so, and I should

say to the honourable gentleman that despite the many robust exchanges

that we have in this chamber, all MPs from Scotland are united in our

view that we cannot tolerate anti-Semitism. The Secretary of

State will be aware that icon in East Renfrewshire, represent

Scotlandlargest Jewish community and I was pleased at the briefing to

hear of the very good intercommunity relations and positive support from

Police Scotland in my area. I would ask if the Secretary of State would

join me in applauding our Scottish Jewish communities for their great

contributions to our country and deploring anti-Semitism and

dissemination wherever it occurs. I absolutely do, and I commend the

honourable lady on her engagement already in her short time as a

member of Parliament with that important Jewish community in

Scotland. I also commend the work of the Scottish Government in that

regard. As I said earlier, this is a matter on which we are all united,

supporting Jewish communities and not accepting anti-Semitism. Number

eight, Mr Speaker. The UK Government is delivering the cross-party Smith

agreement in full, giving the Scottish Government substantial new

powers over tax and spending. The Smith agreement stated that the

devolution of powers should be a company by updated fiscal framework.

The UK and Scottish Government are discussing this. I am going to offer

the Secretary of State a sixth opportunity to disassociate himself

from the subsidy claims of his own party. Will he do so? And further,

does the Secretary of State agree with me that the Treasury's

statements of funding policy over the devolution years have been a

creaking and unstable mess, creating unnecessary friction, and will he

recommit to a more open and transparent process, as he refused

to do previously for the calculation to underpin that new fiscal

framework? There is a process and it involves UK Treasury ministers in

negotiations with the Scottish Government, and we are continuing to

work on that process. I will update the House when there is further

news. Question nine. The Smith commission recommended that abortion

law be devolved to the Scottish Parliament but recognised the issue

needed to be handled sensitively between the UK and Scottish

governments. Allowing ministerial discussions, I confirm that abortion

will be devolved into Scotland bill. As I have confirmed already,

there will be ongoing engagement with the women's groups as the

matter is taken forward. We believe that the woman's right to choose

should be universal. Does the Secretary of State envisaged any

change in abortion law in Scotland? I think it would be helpful if I

just confirmed that because abortion law is being devolved does not mean

that there will be any change to the existing arrangements, which will

continue to apply in Scotland until they are changed by the Scottish

Parliament. I'm very pleased to note that the First Minister of Scotland

has confirmed that she has no plans at all to change the existing

abortion law in Scotland. Can I urge the Minister to think again about

devolution of abortion to Scotland? This is to have smaller

jurisdictions making decisions that are so sensitive on health care,

which is deeply unwise and would allow those who want to lobby

against the interests of health care to undermine the interests of women,

both in Scotland and in England. I would urge him to consult far more

widely before he makes this very big step. I recognise, of course, the

concerns that the honourable lady shows but the Scottish Parliament

already has responsibility for criminal Justice and four health

issues and has dealt with some very sensitive issues very well, in my

view. I've spoken to women's groups in Scotland and they believe that

the devolution can take place but they want to be consulted about that

and they will be. I haven't forgotten the honourable gentleman.

I never do. Mr Mark Menzies. Thank you very much. Question Number Ten.

I'm very pleased to report that the recent UCAS statistics show a record

year for university entry for disadvantaged students domiciled and

England. 18.2% in 2014, compared to 13.6% in 2009. Unfortunately, the

situation in Scotland is not as good. Only 10% of the poorest 20% of

Scots attend university. Very concerning. My honourable friend the

Minister anticipated my entry. As someone who came from a

working-class background of the West Coast of Scotland and went to a

university in Scotland, I'm deeply concerned about how Scotland is

lagging behind England and working class, to people are losing out. Mr

Speaker, it may sound strange, an English Tory elected to a Scottish

university, but as a former armoury president of Stirling University, an

outstanding university, I share the honourablegentleman's concerns and

the Scottish Government could do a great deal of learning from the

English universities. Questions to the Prime Minister.

I know the whole house will join me in paying tribute to those who have

fallen serving our country. They gave their lives so we could live

hours in freedom. It is right to reflect on Armistice Day and a

contribution to all of those who have served our country. This

morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others

and in addition to my duties in this House I shall have further meetings

today. I would like to associate