04/11/2015 Scottish Questions

Hello and welcome to a slightly damp Westminster for November's Scottish

Questions. Plans to give the Scottish parliament extra powers are

occupying the thoughts of MPs as plans to restrict the role of

Scottish at Westminster. Proceedings began with a question about energy

and specifically the planning regulations surrounding wind in

Scotland. Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland. Before I and

Sir can I come end 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 mum enters that -- great win? I am sure you will join

me in wishing the team the best. Glasgow is a great sporting city.

After that we get onto a question about wind farms. ... New onshore

wind developments in England. Planning for onshore wind is

devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government have

kept that power to themselves. I would ask them to look closely at

this government's policy of an of audible energy mix that protects our

landscapes. I shall be there in person I hope to support the team.

True devolution means that power should rest as closely as possible

to the people. In Scotland, will Wales and Northern Ireland. Does he

deplore the policies of the current Scottish and with governments who

seemed to think they no better than the people and the communities of

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales? I agree. The current Scottish

government is one of the most centralising governments on record.

Routinely overruling the wishes of local people and local authorities.

We are delivering devolution to Scotland. Let us see devolution

delivered within Scotland. As Lord Smith recommended. He will be aware

of the case of the park in my constituency that has the support of

the local community and the developers worked diligently to

secure planning permission from Perth Kinross Council. Despite

this the development is threatened by the aggressive approach of

government has taken on energy, putting local jobs at risk. Would he

agree to look again at this case, which has been penalised I it's

responsible approach to community engagement around planning issues? I

am always happy to look at individual cases raised by members

from Scotland and I will be delighted to meet with her and hear

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

Scottish parliament could learn a lot from the devolution debate

within England? Would he encourage the Scottish Parliament to devolve

more responsibilities and powers to local government, which may even

include elected mayors in the great cities of Scotland? I agree and the

response of SNP MPs says it all. They know best, they no better than

local bebop. Let us see local decision making. Let us see Lord

Smith's recommendation about devolution within Scotland ordered

by the Scottish Government. In addition to this question there is

question after question on the order paper questioning the powers of the

Scottish Parliament. The truth is they have missed the A waiting

time for six years. More they have missed the A waiting

children leave primary school unable to read properly.

children leave primary school unable families get a particularly bad deal

under devolution. families get a particularly bad deal

Labour MP for Dudley North. What is required is to hear from the SNP and

the Scottish Government how they will use these parliaments. They the

fair arguments about process and do not want to tell us what they are

going to do and do not follow that through with action.

going to do and do not follow that a vote on... Genuinely I am trying

to be helpful to members but can I urge members to look at the terms of

the question on the paper? It is very specifically about onshore wind

planning. We must move on. This is about the role of Revenue and

Customs in Scotland. HMRC will be making face-to-face announcements to

all staff explaining why my kids future officers will be. The largest

employer in Cumbernauld, good quality jobs are in danger because

of debt management and proposed office mergers. What is he going to

do to be take the jobs of hard-working employees and the local

economies of towns such as Cumbernauld?

HMRC will be making an announcement in the next few days in terms of its

long-term plan that it seeks to find savings in terms of its property

costs which is right to ensure that that money can be used to improve

customer service and get the taxes in. Question three. A question on

the work of the Smith commission. Amendments that strengthen the bill

and look forward to returning to the house for debate next week. This

represents another milestone in making the Scottish Parliament

Parliament one of the most powerful 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 the

Scottish and UK governments work together to agree a fiscal and

funding framework for Scotland. Can you reassure my constituents that

this framework will be in place so that Scotland's funding is not

adversely affected? Yes. Would he 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 Babel of

Scotland? I do not recognise his description of the Barnett formula

which of course will remain in place, but the reality is that the

Scottish parliament will have significant powers over tax,

welfare, and it is about time the SNP told us what they are going to

do with them. It is interesting the Secretary of State 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 the vote has been delivered so once prising Labour government is

having belatedly to accept amendments. The financial framework

for casual. He was only to be able to give one wide and so, so will he

elaborates and tell us exactly 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 that

was launched in the House on Monday which updated the House on the

progress of the fiscal framework. What I recognise in relation to his

comments are these words from the Daily Record editorial. Moan, moan,

winge, winge. A cynic might argue that the SNP do not actually want

those now powers because 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 in this reply to come to the

dispatch box and its associate himself with the views of his

colleagues. If his government is bringing in detrimental measures

that will impact on families and individuals not just in Scotland but

the length and breadth of the UK. Can he give us some detail on what

is going on between the Treasury and the Scottish Government and give an

assurance that there will be no detrimental implications for people

in Scotland as part of the fiscal framework? Not only does he not read

written ministerial statements, he did not even listen to my answer to

my colleague. He did not listen to the answer to my colleagues, so

perhaps he can read it. The reality is the powers that are being

delivered to the Scottish parliament will make it the most powerful

devolved parliament in the world. Rather than tell us what they will

do with those powers it is grievance and grudge. We'll tax credits, which

the Scottish parliament themselves like knowledge can be topped up,

will they be topped up by the FNP, yes or no? -- SNP. Can I take this

opportunity to be tribute to our armed forces? For the sacrifice for

this country. UK ministers have said the fiscal framework negotiations

would be concluded this autumn. Can he 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 am sure you accept there 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 lady from Hamilton east as I did.

Scotland's First Minister has warned that the SNP government may reject

the Scotland bill if the accompanying fiscal framework is not

there to Scotland. They are looking for any excuse to delay further

powers for Scotland. Can he assure that how is that 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 the Tartan delivered behind closed doors with no public

transparency? What are they trying to hide? As he 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 their agreement for Scotland. UK

Government wants to reach for agreement for Scotland. It is an all

other interests and I am confident that be achieved.

With permission, I will answer question for and 11 at the same

time. I have regular discussions with John Swinney and our officials

are in close contact on provisions in the Scotland Bill. I have tabled

changes to strengthen the bill. Having failed technology the

question for my right honourable friend two times already, does the

Secretary of State now disassociates himself from the comments from his

colleague, suggesting Scotland is subsidised? The fiscal framework

will allow 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 he

provide the house with a timetable for draft fiscal framework? The

comments that were made in the written ministerial statement on

Monday set out that the fiscal framework agreement is likely to

come after the Comprehensive Spending Review and the draft

Scottish budget has been completed. This is the fourth opportunity now

for the Secretary of State to disassociate himself with those

comments about Scotland being subsidy junkies. Will he do so? Will

he also confirmed 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? It is obviously clear that the Scottish National Party don't listen

to answers. If they read Hansard, they will see the response I gave to

my colleague. In relation to the fiscal framework, it is an

agreement. Who is negotiating on behalf of the Scottish Government?

John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister. From the comments of SNP

members, they don't have much confidence in his ability to reach a

fair deal for Scotland. 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 Tory cuts to tax credits. I'm sure the

Secretary of State will not like to see that happen, but can he confirm

the new powers contained in the Scotland Bill will give the Scottish

Parliament the ability to top up tax credit? She has the guts to say she

will put up taxes and tax credits -- she does not have. The SNP has said

nothing. They want an argument about process instead of telling us what

they are going to do with these important new powers. Ministers have

had discussions with the leader of the house over English votes on the

implementation. These are sensible and pragmatic steps which do nothing

against Scottish MPs ability to represent their constituents. Is he

as concerned as I am that the Barnett, is angels which affect all

three devolved nations are not clearly spilled out in the new EV

ELN arrangements. Will he take this fifth opportunity to explain what is

happening with the fiscal compact -- EVEL arrangements. The leader of the

house challenged honourable members to provide examples where the rugby

difficulty -- where there would be difficulties, yet none were

submitted. As the procedure committee is planning to hold an

enquiry on the manner in which this house deals with this issue, can I

urge my honourable friend to defer having any discussions with Cabinet

colleagues until the report is to hand? The government will look

closely at what the procedures committee has to save. And in terms

of reforms on the estimates process, which is ultimately a

matter for the house. This is a question about the health service.

The Scottish Government is responsible for the NHS in Scotland.

It is up to them regarding how best to spend their funding. The UK

Government is happy to share good practice with the Scottish

Government to help ensure the people Scotland receive high-quality health

care. I thank the minister for that answer. Has he seen the recent audit

Scotland report which shows the Scottish Government has failed to

pass on health spending increases, resulting in a 0.7% real terms

health spending reduction in Scotland between 2009 and 2015? I

have seen that report. He is right to bring that 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 in England? Is it not time

for a Scottish ministers to answer Scottish Questions in this house? I

noticed the honourable gentleman raises the issues of English votes

for English laws and get very worked up about it, but can I remind him of

what he said a year ago, and issue the Scottish people could not care

less about. That does not seem to be his approach any more. This is a

specific question about anti-Semitism in Scotland. Recorded

incidents in Scotland are thankfully low. I am not complacent. Tackling

anti-Semitism was right to the heart of what we stand for as a country.

Whatever our politics and faith, we must look to defeat it. 15 Scottish

MPs attended an all-party group on anti-Semitism last week. With the

goodwill that clearly exists, will the minister topped with the

Scottish Government about how the system of state funded security in

Jewish schools in England could be emulated in Glasgow? I certainly

well and I'm happy to do so. I should say to him that despite the

many robust exchanges 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 I represent Scotland's largest

Jewish community in East Renfrewshire. I was pleased to hear

of the good intercommunity relations and positive support from the police

in my area. Will the Secretary of State join me in applauding our

Jewish communities for the work they do against discrimination? I

absolutely do. I commend her on her engagement with that important

Jewish community in Scotland. I commend the work of the Scottish

Government in that regard. This is a matter on which we are all united,

supporting Jewish communities and not accepting anti-Semitism. This is

another question reflecting the Scotland Bill. The UK Government is

delivering the cross-party Smith agreement in full, giving the

Scottish Government substantial new powers over tax and spending. The

devolution of powers should be accompanied by a fiscal framework.

The UK and Scottish governments are discussing this. I'm going to offer

the Secretary of State six opportunity to disassociate from the

subsidy claims from his own party in this chamber. Will he do so? Does he

agree with me that the Treasury's eight meant for funding policy over

the years has been a creaking mess? Will he recommit to a more open and

transparent process as he refused to do repeatedly? There is a process.

It involves UK Treasury ministers in negotiations with the Scottish

Government. We are continuing to work on that process. We will update

the house when there is further news. This is a question about

abortion in Scotland. The issue needs to be handled sensitively

between the governments. I wrote to interested parties. As I have

confirmed already, there will be ongoing engagement with women's

groups as this matter is taken forward. We believe that a woman's

right to choose should be universal. Does the Secretary of

State envisage any change in abortion law in Scotland? Mr

Speaker, I think it would be helpful if I just confirmed that because

abortion law is being devolved does not mean there will be any change.

The existing arrangements will continue to apply in Scotland are

changed by the Scottish Parliament. I am pleased to note the First

Minister of Scotland has confirmed she has no plans at all to change

existing abortion law in Scotland. Can I urge the minister to think

again about the devolution of abortion to Scotland? This is to

have smaller jurisdictions making decisions so sensitive on health

care is deeply unwise. It will 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

concern is the honourable lady shots, but the Scottish Parliament

already has responsibility for criminal justice and health issues,

and has dealt with some very sensitive issues extremely well in

my view. I have 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. Have not forgotten the honourable gentleman.

I never do. Mark Menzies. B this is a question about access to

university education. The most recent UCAS statistics show a record

year for university entry for disadvantaged students domiciled in

England. 18.2% compared to 13% in 2009. Unfortunately the situation in

Scotland is not as good. Only 10% of the poorest 20% of Scots attend

university, very concerning. As someone who went to university from

a working-class background, I am deeply concerned about how Scotland

is now lagging behind England. Working-class per people are losing

out. It may sound strange, an English Tory elected to a Scottish

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

outstanding university, I share his concerns and the Scottish Government

could do a great deal of learning from the experience of the English

university system. That is all we have time for. Let me remind you

about the next Scottish Questions on Wednesday 16 December. That will be

the final one of 2015. We will see if there is any pre-Christmas cheer

by then. Join us then if you can. For now, from all of us at

Westminster, goodbye. The knives are sharpened and the heat

is on. It can only mean one thing. Britain's best chefs

are back in town. They're here because they want

this title. I'm really excited. MasterChef: The Professionals

starts cooking...