Live Scotland Questions House of Commons

David Mandel, and his ministerial team. The first question today

concerns money given to galleries and museums in Scotland. Order,

order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Stuart Malcolm

MacDonald. Mr Speaker, lots of good causes

applet bids into the Treasury for funds but we will need to be patient

and wait until this afternoon for the Autumn Statement to hear which I

been successful. He knows there is no greater cause in my constituency

than that of Holmwood house, a fine piece of architecture. Given that

next year is the bicentenary of the architect's birth and he knows how

keen eye and the Thomson Society are to promote about rape in the UK and

internationally, will he ensure the full weight of his office in making

that happen. -- are to promote about that in the UK and internationally.

He is perhaps an underappreciated icon of Scottish architecture and I

can assure the honourable gentleman, particularly after my own visit to

Holmwood house and meeting with the Thomson Society, that the UK

Government will do all it can to support and promote the bicentenary.

I've written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer suggesting that libel

money can be used for restoration in Scotland. At the Secretary of State

had any similar discussions with the Chancellor or had he had done

nothing about the 2015 pledge? Mr Speaker, the honourable gentleman

knows that I and indeed the UK Government have done a great deal to

work with East Ayrshire Council to ensure that opencast restoration

could proceed in that area following the collapse of various companies

involved in opencast mining. We continue that dialogue with both the

Scottish Government and East Ayrshire Council in order to try to

being this matter to a satisfactory resolution. The honourable gentleman

was a bit tardy in standing but we will hear from him anyway. Scotland

has some wonderful tourist attractions, many in the border

region, and the same applies to Cumbria. But the Secretary of State

agree that there are real opportunities to promote tourism in

the border area but that means close cooperation from all councils, not

just finance. The honourable gentleman knows that I am very keen

to promote cross-border working between Cumbria County Council, his

own local authority, Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Borders

council. That is why I'm a big supporter of the borderlands

initiative which would bring those councils together to try to secure

economic development for the area, of which tourism would play a very

important part. Mr Speaker, we have made significant

progress to transport powers in the Scotland act to the Scottish

parliament, with a large number of provisions already in force and we

continue to work with the Scottish Government on the smooth transition

of remaining powers. As the SNP Government has failed to introduce a

single piece of legislation in the last six months, with the First

Minister preparing to grandstand across Europe about Brexit, isn't it

about time she used the powers devolved to her under the Scotland

act to start governing rather than engaging in pointless photo

opportunities? Mr Speaker, I can update the honourable gentleman. The

Scottish Government have now brought forward one piece of legislation.

That is since the Scottish Parliament elections in May and he

may be interested that this Government currently has 19 pieces

of legislation before this Parliament. Of course I agree with

him and I think the majority of people in Scotland who want the

First Minister and the Scottish Government to get on with the day

job of running Scotland and the devolved responsibilities and not

constantly talk about independence. The Scottish Government has

announced that the new powers over benefits will be used to end the

misery being meted out on disabled Scots by the UK Government. The

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to reduce the need for

assessments for personal independence payments and disability

living allowance, particularly for those with long-term illness. Will

the Secretary of State take the opportunity to welcome this and urge

to the UK Cabinet colleagues to follow suit? Mr Speaker, what I will

welcome when I see it is some detail behind these bind words -- fine

words. We have heard lots and lots of fine words but, to date, on

welfare, we have absolutely no detail as to what the Scottish

Government plan to do. I suppose we should view it as progress that he

believes that they are buying words. Perhaps he will follow the

initiative of the Scottish Government. It's bad to say that the

majority of welfare and economic powers are not being devolved to the

Scottish Parliament, so will the Secretary of State confirm that he

has no plans to devolve powers to deal with Scottish legal

partnerships and the risks that they pose in the fight against global

money-laundering and organised crime. I have raised this with my

minister, I have spoken to him about this, so will he now tell the House

what he and the UK will actually do about this? As the honourable

gentleman knows, the settlement in relation to the Scotland act 2016

was the outcome of the Smith commission and the Scottish legal

partnerships issue was not part of that arrangement and will not be

devolved. I do take the issue extremely seriously, I commend him

for the way in which he has highlighted it in this House and

elsewhere. I commend the Herald newspaper for the way in which they

have highlighted the issue and colleagues within the UK Government

are looking at how we can best take the situation forward to end the

abuses which are evident. I was concerned to read in the Sunday

Times that the Scottish Government are delaying the introduction of the

devolved welfare powers. Can my right honourable friend confirm if

this is the case? Mr Speaker, all members will have access to the

minutes of the last meeting of the joint welfare group between myself

and the Scottish Government ministers and those minutes confirm

that the introduction of the welfare powers in Scotland are indeed being

delayed, potentially until 2020. Would he consider the transfer of

powers over visas to the Scottish Government? Currently in the Outer

Hebrides, the fishing boats are restricted because non-EU fishermen

cannot work on fishing boats, with people under threat and threatening

jobs and industries in the Outer Hebrides. Will he do something about

it or nothing, like usual? I recognise the concerns that he has

expressed. Others have expressed those concerns. There are specific

issues and rolled around he can and cannot work on fishing boats but

immigration remains the responsibility of the Home Office.

It is always a pleasure to follow hurricane Angus. Mr Speaker, can I

thank you for your generous indulgence in allowing me to appear

at the box today in the absence of my honourable friend. I have been

immersing myself in Scottish legislation and Irn-Bru for the last

week. Can I tell the Secretary of State that many of us on this side

would give our high teeth to have the powers contained in the Scotland

act 2016. Does he build the apparent reluctance of the Scottish

Government indicates a surfeit of modesty or is it, perhaps, a lack of

ambition? I welcome the honourable gentleman to the dispatch box on

behalf of the Labour Party at Scottish questions, although the one

question I would have is, who next, because we have had a selection of

individuals. What I would say to the honourable gentleman is these are

very significant powers over tax and welfare and although today the

Autumn Statement here in this House is a very important event, on the

15th of December, we will see the Scottish budget for the first time,

the Scottish Government able to raise income taxes at its will in

relation to the Scottish budget, and that, I think, is a very significant

moment in taking responsibility and accountability. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. The Government will continue to provide an environment

where as an evil everywhere can thrive. That means cutting red tape,

keeping taxes low and improving access to finance. We are committed

to ensuring the whole of the UK is a great place to start and grow the

business. Mr Speaker, figures produced by the Scottish Government

show that small businesses constitute over 50% of employment in

Scotland. If the -- the economy suffers any kind of setback, and the

Chancellor is projecting one, these will be hardest bit. Given that,

what is the Chancellor doing to encourage their growth and support

them? The UK economy is strong in spite of

uncertainty, Scottish MPs are benefiting from nearly ?400 million

of investment from the British business bank and innovate UK to

help them grow, capitalise on new technologies and an new export

markets. Does the Minister agree that if the UK market is for teams

the size of the EU market for Scotland as a slow-down that it is

clear why businesses say they do not want to talk of another independent

referendum but instead want stability to strengthen the economy?

I quite agree with my honourable friend. SMEs in Scotland trade four

times as much in the single market of the United Kingdom and the do

with the European Union. And indeed the trade more with market in the

rest of the world and they do across the entire EU. One of the key thing

is that the Scottish Government and the UK Government could do to take

away uncertainty for SMEs and businesses across Scotland is to

take off the table a second independent referendum. Something

else the government could do is to conclude the Edinburgh city deal, so

will the Scottish Secretary in -- meet with the Chancellor to make

sure we hear that in the next few minutes? You like I share the

Alderman's enthusiasm, we have to wait for another hour to you more

detail on that. I could not agree with him or. The uncertainty in

Scotland is coming far more from talk of another referendum that it

is from the EU referendum outcome. Yesterday it was announced that over

500 jobs in the tanning area in my constituency are under threat.

Kwik-Fit insurance have announced plans to axe the entire Scottish

operation and if these plans proceed it would be a devastating blow to

the local community before Christmas. What assistance can the

Secretary of State for Scotland provided for these constituents?

Obviously this will be a very difficult time for the Kwik-Fit

workforce and their families, particularly as the Alderman

mentions in the run-up to Christmas. I understand Kwik-Fit are consulting

on closure by the end of March next year and I hope the workers will be

able to quickly move into alternative employment. The UK

Government will assist with support from the job centre plus rapid

reaction service, working also with North Lanarkshire Council to help

all those being made redundant. Given the importance of the export

to England from Scotland, what is my honourable friend's estimate of the

number of jobs that are actually involved in this process? And

doesn't that demonstrates the importance to Scotland in the

economy of Scotland of staying in the United Kingdom? I would like to

limit this specifically to SMEs, which I sure the honourable

gentleman wanted to mention. The unemployed and great in Scotland is

lower than that in the rest of the UK and SMEs benefit from this as

much as any other business in Scotland. On the 12th of October in

response to a question about the deal struck at Nissan the Secretary

of State stood at the dispatch box and set and I quote, whatever

support is put in place for businesses in the north-east of

England will be put in place for Scotland. Is the Secretary of State

or Minister willing to confirm that this is the case? And if you will

she provide more detail? SMEs needs to know. My right honourable friend

is exactly right in what he said about the Nissan deal, indeed that

level of support will be available to Scottish businesses but after the

detail right honourable gentleman will have to wait for another hour

to hear the Autumn Statement. I am grateful especially for the

promotion to the Privy Council. In welcoming the commitment and I'm

sure SMEs and businesses from all sides will be reassured, but in view

of the commitment they must have been an analysis of the cost. Will

the Minister therefore inform the house of what assessment has been

made of the cost of this? My right honourable friend will be making an

assessment of the cost and benefits of all such deals on an ongoing

basis. Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State for Scotland has had numerous

discussions with me about the entry UK planetary allocations under the

Common agricultural policy and I have had discussions on this issue

with the National farmers union for Scotland, Scottish members of

Parliament and the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for

rural economy and connectivity. The convergence uplift is worth 230

million euros, UK Government is that money that should be supporting

Scotland's rural economy. Scotland's farmers deserve fairness. When will

the Secretary of State for Scotland do something about this? Will he

continue to do nothing? I simply say to the honourable gentleman we will

be giving an update on the review of cat allocations before the end of

this year but I would look -- I would also say that the context has

changed fundamentally since the decision to leave the EU, some argue

that the area based payments have never suited Scotland very well and

indeed few in Scotland have previously laid -- raised concerns

about payments going to large landowners and they have argued that

we should direct support to farmers and producers of livestock. I will

be working closely with NFU Scotland and the talented team of officials.

In this session what we are really seeking in Scottish questions is the

confirmation that the Scottish Secretary of State backs Scottish

farmers and will get the promised money delivered. It is fantastic we

have the farming minister here but we have had so far is no detail,

just one word to coin the Secretary of State. Can we have the detail? I

completely disagree with the honourable gentleman, as I made

clear the Secretary of State for Scotland discusses this issue with

me regularly, I am passionate about Scotland and discuss this issue with

NFU Scotland from January onwards. We are working on joint agreements

when it comes to post Brexit agricultural policy. Number six, Mr

Speaker. My right honourable friend has held 60 meetings with well over

100 Scottish organisations since the referendum to hear the views. In

addition my right honourable friend the Business Secretary as net

businesses in Aberdeen and the Trade Minister has met business leaders in

Edinburgh. Will my honourable friend encourage Scottish businesses to

seize opportunities of our new relationship with Europe? And the

wider world, including of course my own constituency of mouth and

Horncastle and will she urge the Scottish Government to support the

businesses, stop moaning about referendums and get on with

governing? I thank my honourable friend that I am happy to give that

encouragement. The message that the UK Government has heard loud and

clear is that businesses in Scotland want stability and not another

divisive referendum. Talk of Independence is destructive and what

people want now is the economic stability that can only be provided

by Scotland remaining in the UK. Mr Speaker, in July the Secretary of

State's party leader told the BBC I want to stay in the single market

even if the consequence of that is remaining -- retaining free movement

of labour. Ruth Davidson was 100% correct. In the Secretary of State

explain the shoddy U-turn? No U-turn on that whatsoever, the UK

Government will seek the best possible deal for all parts of the

United Kingdom and that will include limits on free movement and the best

possible access to and trade within the single market for British

companies. The creative industries in Scotland are one of the most

successful areas of Scottish business. There is real concern

about the regulatory regime that off, preside over and its future

relationship with the European Union and what that actually looks like.

What discussions has she had concerning that regular Tory regime?

My ministerial colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and

Sport will have had discussions and I will ask one of them to another

five honourable member of the outcome of those discussions. Some

of our most important exporting businesses are in the very

successful food and drink sector, and they tell me that it is almost

impossible for them to plan for the future until they know what access

they will have two EU markets. Will the Minister ensure that their

voices are heard in these negotiations as well as the big boys

in financial services in the automotive industries? My right

honourable friend, the gaffer Minister has regular meetings with

the Scottish fishing industry and the agricultural sector and across

government there are many discussions with the Scottish was

the association about how they continued to build on the strengths

of the exports beyond the EU as well as within the single market. During

a live televised debate two days before Brexit vote, the Scottish

Tory leader Ruth Davidson said that the EU provides a level playing

field for small businesses and that if the UK were to leave the EU the

rest of the EU would impose tariffs and taxes. And the Secretary of

State please advise the house how many of the 1.2 million jobs

provided by SMEs in Scotland he estimates to be at risk from these

pallisades taxes once they come into place? As I have said, the

government is committed to gaining the maximum access to the single

market and trade within the single market for all British companies and

that includes Scottish SMEs. There is far too much noise in the

chamber. A number of very loud private conversations. Let's have

some order for the very senior and respected member of the house of 33

years standing, Sir David Amis. Question number seven Mr Speaker. My

right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland held

round tables with the Scottish food and drink industry and -- in August

and October and in addition my right honourable friend the Secretary of

State for environment and rural affairs met with a range of food and

drink businesses during her visit to Scotland this month. Will scotch

whiskey -- with Scotch whiskey being the finest in the world in such a

valuable export, with my honourable friend agree that as a result of the

UK deciding to leave the EU there may be even further export

opportunities? I very much agree with my honourable friend and the

truth is that Scotch whiskey is a fantastic success story for this

country with overseas sales worth 3.9 billion in 2015. Earlier this

year I attended an event in Tokyo to promote great British drinks and

this includes Scotch whiskey, which is particularly popular in Japan. Mr

Speaker, I wondered if... I don't think the honourable lady realised

the extent of her own popularity on the government benches! Does the

second ferry of state for Scotland realise that the value of exports

from the rest of UK to Scotland are worth more than 50 billion, that is

more than Scotland exports to the rest of the latest kingdom, with the

Secretary of State not agree that regardless of any constitutional

arrangements that may come in the future, the Scotland rest of UK

trading relationship is in -- is indeed an important one to both

parts of the United Kingdom? I think the fact that the honourable lady

highlights underlines the fact that the union that is really vital to

this country is the United Kingdom, because we have very close trade

between us. Number eight. Mr Speaker I have regular meetings with the

Scottish Government ministers and I last met the Cabinet Secretary for

financing constitution on the 21st of October. Both governments are

committed to providing all necessary support for the Scottish Fiscal

Commission and office of budget any responsibility. Does my right

honourable friend agree that a core principle of stable accountable

mature government must be that government should not fiddle

forecasts but instead answer for its last -- its choices and listen to

the people they govern? Mr Speaker I absolutely agree with my honourable

friend and the transfer of income tax and welfare powers to the

Scottish Parliament does just that. No longer will the SNP and Scottish

Government simply be able to complain if they genuinely have

ideas they will be able to do something about it and the people of

Scotland will understand what the tax implications are. John

Nicholson. Exports from the services sector

could be cut by 60% of the UK was out of the single market. That would

be a ?2.3 billion hit for Scotland. Given that, can he tell us why his

Conservative colleagues in Hollywood voted against the Scottish

Government's position to protect their position. I'm sure the

Independent fiscal commission will have noted that my colleagues

Conservative group in Hollywood voted against the SNP motion because

we have absolutely no idea where the SNP stand in relation