Live Scotland Questions House of Commons

Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The Chief Secretary to

the Treasury intended a joint exchequer committee with the

Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Finance in November

and discuss the ongoing war between both Governments to implement this

power and there are ongoing discussions between officials from

both governments. Does my honourable friend agree

these taxation powers coupled with other powers that have been devolved

to Hollywood make it one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the

world? And when she agree with me that quite rightly they make the

Scottish Government accountable for its actions in respect of taxation

and responsible for making Scotland the most highly taxed part of the

United Kingdom? of course my honourable friend makes a very good

point. The new devolution settlement does indeed deliver one of the most

powerful and accountable devolved parliaments in the world and the

people of Scotland will look to the Government to use those tax powers

wisely to make Scotland as competitive and attractive to

business as possible. We want to see the Scottish Government use those

powers to deliver that and to choose how to use them. Does my honourable

friend agree with me that when she shared my confusion that the

Scottish Government prefers the narrative of Winch, wine and waffle

rather than use the powers as Parliament has given them to prove

their competence of running the country -- whinge, whine and waffle.

I'm aware that since the referendum last year, many of the conversations

we've had with businesses in particular who are thinking about

their plans for the future doozy competitiveness through tax and want

to know that a Government is entirely focused on creating the

conditions in which businesses can grow and thrive and I really think

what we need to focus on, all of us, is pursuing our plans to make our

country is very competitive and I think Scotland the Government has to

realise that the decisions they make should be best for businesses. The

Tories at Westminster are facing a rebellion in the backbenches about

business rates. What advice are they taking from the Government in

Scotland who have listened to local businesses and account for 12.5% of

the businesses in hospitality and in Aberdeen where they have been

hard-hit by the oil price? I think that is an attempt at political

bragging. I think the Chancellor as my right honourable friend the

Secretary of State for local Government have made it clear they

will listen to concerns especially of the smallest businesses hit by

income tax and business rates. And the ministers explain how the

Scottish Government can simultaneously not be using the

taxation powers it has and also be the highest taxed part of the

country? Particularly when neither of these statements are in fact

true. It's for the Scottish Government to account to the

Scottish people for its plans and these might be interesting points to

bring to Westminster and not about in this chamber, but real people are

looking at the impact on their family income, on these plans, and

the Scottish Government will have to account to them and it is far more

than just a debating point. The Scottish Government's decision to

make Scotland the most high taxed part of the United Kingdom will

reduce the competitiveness and make Scotland a less attractive place to

live, work or do business. These are all very important points. It is for

the Scottish Government to use the powers that we devolved to it. It is

for them to account to the people but there's no doubt that people

look at the competitiveness of tax regimes, whether it is personal or

business, and then imported Nicky decisions people make about

competitiveness and other things. Following the EU referendum,

Scotland Office ministers have regularly met with representatives

from Scottish industry and business. What comes out clearly as the

appetite to seize and make a success of the opportunities afforded to us

by leaving the EU, forging a new role for ourselves in the world, to

negotiate our own trade arrangements and be a champion for free trade.

My question is around exports. Scotland has made a particular

success of the food and drink industries. How confident are

worried should they be if we come out of Europe that was markets will

be damaged and what can the Government do to support them? My

honourable friend is absolutely right to highlight food and drink as

Scotland's top manufacturing export with exports of ?8.9 billion in

2015. I believe leaving the EU now offers us the opportunity to

negotiate new trade deals across the globe and create even more

opportunities for Scotland's world-renowned food and drink.

Agriculture and fisheries are key parts of the Scottish economy and

Scotland's export sector. They're both devolved powers. Under the

plans of the Government, will all decisions relating to agriculture

and fisheries be taken by the Scottish Parliament and Scottish

fisheries after Brexit? As they honourable gentleman knows, the

Government has confirmed in the White Paper that all power is

currently exercised by the Scottish Parliament in relation to

agriculture, fisheries and all the other issues will continue to be so.

We wish to have a dialogue with the Scottish Government with the other

devolved administrations and stakeholders about what happens in

relation to powers currently held in Brussels and where the rate we rest

after the United Kingdom leaves the EU. -- where they rightly rest.

Anyone watching will realise the Secretary of State didn't answer the

question. I'll ask again. During the Brexit campaign, people were told

that decision is currently taken in Brussels on agriculture and

fisheries would revert to the Scottish Parliament. The Secretary

of State has not given a clear answer to this question and it

really matters to our rural industries, to our global economy

and Scotland as a trading nation so let me try again, the same question,

I be grateful if you could answer that, under the plans of his

Government, will all decisions relating to agriculture and

fisheries be taken by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish

Government after Brexit? Yes or no? This Government's plan is to engage

with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations to

discuss these serious issues. It is not to go out and tell the people of

Scotland that the devolved settlement is being undermined by

Brexit, a Brexit which will lead to more powers being exercised by the

Scottish Parliament, so what I can give is a guarantee that after the

United Kingdom leaves the EU, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish

ministers will have more powers than they have today. I add my

condolences to the family of the genuine parliamentarian. Whatever

sport is put in place of businesses in the North East of England, this

was in relation to the deal struck with Nissan. Does he stand by that

promise? Firstly can I associate myself with the honourable

gentleman's comments on Gerald Kauffman. I found him to be the

perfect gentleman. In relation to the approach this Government is

taking, it will be an approach that is consistent across the whole of

the United Kingdom. I thank him for the reply but can I ask when

businesses are winner of this welcome reassurance to make

businesses in Scotland the same deal as was done with Nissan. Why is this

the best kept secret in Scotland? I've made clear to the honourable

gentleman that the UK Government is approaching the Brexit negotiations,

how we are fully engaged with businesses across Scotland to make

sure that we understand the issues and concerns and that we can go

forward on the basis that will ensure that Scotland and the whole

of the native kingdom makes the best possible deal of the UK leaving the

EU. Scotland's international exports have increased by 41% since the SNP

Government came into office in 2007, a fantastic success story for

Scotland. Can the Secretary of State explain why the UK Government failed

to negotiate any geographical indications for Scottish colleges in

the Canada deal? I hope is a honourable lady's

approach on the EU trade deal is more consistent than her

parliamentary group, because on the Monday of the week this issue was

discussed the SNP voted in favour of the Canada deal and by the Wednesday

they had somehow found they were against it.

I have mentioned, the Chief Secretary of the Treasury has

regular engagement with the Scottish Government finance minister in the

discuss matters relating to the Scottish Government's budget and at

a joint committee in November and the finance minister quadrilateral.

I would ask her what does she believe the consequence will be the

Scottish Government using new powers to make Scotland the most highly

taxed part of the United Kingdom? Quite rightly colleagues are focused

on this issue of tax and competitiveness. The increase tax

powers delivered to the Scotland Act mean the Scottish Government has

responsibility for raising more of what it spends and it is for them to

decide how to use these powers the shape Scotland's economy and jobs. I

may not like they are plans to make Scotland a higher tax nation but it

is up to them but they do have to explain those plans to the people

they represent. The publication of this year's draft

Scottish budget was delayed because the Chancellor did not make

financial information available until the Autumn Statement. What

impact will be moved to the open budget have on the Scottish

Government's black -- ability to plan for its budget? There are many

good reasons to move to single festival event in autumn and a

longing for longer term planning is one of them. -- single budget in the

autumn. Taking a referendum of the table is the single biggest thing

the SNP could do for confidence amongst the business community.

Number seven. I have regular conversations with the Secretary of

State for Exiting the EU and the UK Government has made clear securing

the rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU is one of

our top priorities in negotiations for Brexit. I do not find an answer

very reassuring giving the speculation about the cut-off date

for EU nationals coming later this month, potentially. The other place

is voting on an amendment which will secure the rights of EU nationals

source that is passed will be secretary of state urged colleagues

to end this uncertainty because they contribute so much of the Scottish

and British economy and if he does not it sends out a strong message he

is willing to use EU nationals as a bargaining chip for a hard Tory

Brexit. I agree with one thing that the

honourable gentleman said and that is EU citizens who are in Scotland

and across the UK are making a very significant contribution to civic

life and the economy and as the Prime Minister has repeatedly made

clear we want those people to stay and that is a clear message she has

sent out and set out clearly in the White Paper. We do not believe the

Article 50 bill is the place to set that out. Number 12, sir.

Bearing in mind it is a similar question, certainly. My right

honourable friend the secretary of state, does he agree with me the

business community in Scotland shares a far more positive and

optimistic outlook rather than the fun of negative comment coming from

the Scottish Government's -- rather than the negative comments.

Mr Speaker, I know that businesses across Scotland's value the

contribution that EU citizens make to their businesses and I am very

clear that even when the UK leaves the EU it will be a portent for EU

citizens still to come to Scotland and play an important role in our

economy -- it will still be important for EU citizens to come to

Scotland. A recent report said 40% of European

doctors might leave the UK after Brexit because of the shameful

inaction from the Government on giving clear guarantees to EU

nationals. While what the UK Government not do the right thing

and give that clear guaranteed to EU nationals who are a valued part of

our society and they have the right. I am absolutely clear of the

importance we place on the role you nationals in the economy and in the

health service but I would take what the honourable lady says a lot more

seriously in respect of encouraging doctors and other medical

professionals to come to Scotland of her Government had not decided to

tax them more than any other part of the United Kingdom does my right

honourable friend agree with me that, as well as safeguarding the

role of EU citizens in the UK after we leave the EU, it is vital we

safeguard Scottish people who have gone to live in other parts of the

EU as well? I absolutely agree with my

honourable friend, it is vital we do secure the position of UK citizens

currently in the EU, many of whom are Scottish, and it is perfectly

legitimate to take for that issue in conjunction with securing the rights

of EU citizens in Scotland and the rest of the UK and I am hopeful that

can be dealt with very early in the negotiations.

It is quite clear that Government is happy to play political football

with these people's lights and they have showed contempt for 12,000

people who work and health and social care in Scotland and showing

contempt for the 20,000 people working in the food industry which

is secretary of state has just been bragging about is the most important

part of Scottish industry. When will we stop treating people this way and

give them the guarantee they need to continue living a happy and secure

life in Scotland? I have been absolutely clear, as has

the Prime Minister, how much we value the contribution you nationals

make in Scotland, both to the economy and to civic society. We

want them to stay but we also want the UK's National elsewhere in the

EU to be able to stay where they are as well.

Number five. With permission I will answer questions five and plan

together. The Government is committed to getting the best deal

for Scotland and the UK in negotiations with the EU and the

joint ministerial committee on EU negotiations was established to

facilitate engagement between the UK Government and devolved

administrations and have had constructive discussions in monthly

meetings since November. At the last meeting of the JMC the

Prime Minister committed to intensified negotiations with the

Scottish Government on EU proposals, can he update the house underscores

Mac one I appeared last week before the Scottish Parliament's you'd

committee I was able to tell them in the two weeks since the JMCP six

substantive meetings had taken place between senior officials in order

for both governments to be able to discuss the proposals set out in

Scotland's place in Europe document. We regard this as a serious

contribution to the debate and continue to engage with it.

May I drop a pension -- may I draw attention to the committee has been

taking great interest in the relationships within the United

Kingdom and we produced a report in December that I commend to him and

the main thrust of that recommendation is not about

structures and institutions, it is about natural adversarial sitting

down together and developing relationships and bonds of trust and

understanding. Mr Speaker, I very much take the

work of the honourable gentleman's committee seriously, despite what

often appears in the media, it is possible for the two governments to

engage in a constructive way and there are many areas in which we are

already in agreement on issues contained within the Scottish

Government's document. It is not just a matter of trying to

keep the EU National in our health and social care service, the

workforce is the biggest challenge NHS Scotland faces, so will the

Secretary of state support Scotland having the powers to attract EU

nationals in the future, not just the ones covered with your? -- the

ones currently here. I have previously said at this box I

do not support the devolution of immigration powers to the Scottish

Parliament but I do support a ring -- support arrangements that would

ensure those vital work as Scotland's needs in areas that are

depopulating and in skill areas and areas of relying on seasonal

workers, to come to Scotland. Earlier the secretary of state

refused to confirm the Scottish fishing and Scottish agriculture

would become the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament. Can I ask

when his department will present to the JMC a list of powers that will

be devolved to the Scottish Parliament after Brexit, well he

refused to do so and simply follow instructions from Number ten?

What I want to do and have attempted to do is engage in a constructive

discussion and dialogue with the Scottish Government and Scottish

Parliament about how we repeat rates powers back from Brussels --

repatriate powers back. I do not seek to make a political point that

this is an attempt to destabilise the Scottish Parliament because I

know when this process is complete that Scottish Parliament will have

more powers than it does today. Number six, Mr Speaker. With

permission, I will ask a question six and seven together. Sales from

Scotland to the rest of the UK are worth nearly ?50 billion, a figure

increased by over 70% since 2002 and is for prime is greater than the

value of exports from Scotland to the EU. -- four times greater. It is

no doubt the UK is the vital economy for Scotland. Does he agree with

should not create barriers or anything to impede the function of

the UK domestic market as we leave the EU, given the vital importance

of vested economy of Scotland? I could not agree more with my

honourable friend and I find it very strange those who make such a fuss

about the EU single market seemed to have a complete disregard for a

market that is four times as large to Scotland's economy.

Given Scottish whiskey is the largest net contributor to the UK's

balance of trade and goods is the secretary of state encouraged every

move from the single market to the WTO arrangements were stable have a

zero tariff? It is important to note there is a zero tariff under WTO for

Scotch whiskey bottle in relation to our future relationship with the EU

the Prime Minister has made it clear we want to negotiate a free-trade

agreement with the EU and that would be enormously to the benefit of the

whiskey industry. All this UK's single market business

is all quite interesting but is he trying to suggest it Brexit isolated

UK desperate for friends and any trading partners would not trade

with an independent Scotland's what I am suggesting is if an independent

Scotland was to put up tariffs and barriers with its largest trading

partner that is vital for four times as much of its economic development

as the EU, that would be a disaster this series of events.

How is job creation in Scotland affecting the Scottish economy?

It is vitally important, Mr Speaker, both the UK Government and Scottish

Government work together to maximise the number of jobs created but it is

clearly one thing the Scottish Government could do which would most

help job creation in Scotland is to take the suggestion of a divisive

independence referendum off the table.

The secretary of state previously told the Scottish Affairs Committee

he attends Cabinet Brexit meetings based on whether he thinks the

agenda items are important to Scotland. Can he tell the house

which Brexit policy areas he thinks are important to Scotland and which

are not? I also made clear to that committee

it was not appropriate to give a running commentary on the

Government's internal discussions on Brexit. What I have committed to do

is deliver the best possible deal for Scotland in these negotiations.

Questions to the Prime Minister. I'm sure the people here would like

to join me in wishing the people across the world a happy St David's

Day. I'm sure the whole house will also want to join me in paying

tribute to our former colleague, Sir Gerald Kaufman, who died over the

weekend. He was an outstanding MP who dedicated his life to the

service of his constituents. As father of the House,