09/01/2013 Scottish Questions

Hello and a warm welcome to Westminster for the first Scottish

questions of 2013 and I can tell you the weather has in January feel.

The referendum on Scottish independence may still be 20 months

away but it is still very much making its presence felt,

particularly when MPs get together to discuss specifically Scottish

issues as we will see it. Here's how proceedings got under way.

Questions to the Secretary of State of Scotland. Do question No. 1, Mr

Speaker. This government has taken a range of access to promote

Scottish businesses overseas including Brian Wilson as a

business ambassador. I have also spoken to the Canadian trade

minister. A Mr David Amis. How many Scottish business leaders as the

Secretary of State met who believe that the Scottish Trade in position

will be improved if Scotland leaves the United Kingdom? No Scottish

business leader has ever put at point to me, Mr Speaker possibly

because they recognise the strength of Scotland being in the United

Kingdom. If that that there are 162 UKTI officers backed up by concerts

around the world. The Scotch whisky industry last year was worth more

than �4.2 billion and it is one of Scotland and the UK's biggest

exporting industries. Can the Secretary of State confirm that the

UK Government charges for its promotion internationally, how much

does it charge and why? Can I joined the honourable gentleman in

welcoming the success of the Scotch whisky industry. A huge part of the

overall sector of Scottish food and drink. And it is so critical to

Scotland's exporting potential and I do not want to put that at risk

because I think Scotland being part of an international network of

offices embassies is the best way forward. Mr Speaker, everybody will

have noted that the Secretary of State did not answer the question.

I asked him whether he would confirm the UK Government charges

for the promotion of Scotch whisky internationally. The apparent in

the Foreign Office does charge and charges �3,000 a time to promote

Scotch whisky at international events. This is ridiculous. What is

he doing about it and when will it stop? The honourable gentleman is

choosing to ignore the fact that thanks to the UK Government for our

network of offices across the hall of the world, the fact that our

embassy network the second to none compared certainly to an

independent Scotland. Scotch whisky is a much stronger place as being

part of the United Kingdom than it would be if independent. The Sir

Robert Smith. Could the Secretary of State recognised as an important

the energy industry is in the north-east of Scotland to driving

the export potential for Scotland and that by having a strong home

base of production of skills and technology in the North Sea, we

have built a base for great export potential to provinces around the

world. I have paid tribute to my honourable friend's success in this

area. He is an undoubted champion of the oil and gas sector across

the whole of the UK. He is right to point out its potential and he will

be aware that I met with the Brazilian ambassador and other

Brazilian interest in Aberdeen a few months ago and I look forward

to returning to Brazil to focus on oil and gas is used in the next few

weeks. Jim Sheridan. On the question of Scotch whisky, it

chronicles what would have a % of UK food and drink exports it is

held back by various tariff barriers around the world, most

noticeably in India, a 50% tariff on it. What action is the

Government taking to help the industry export growth in other

countries? I think the honourable gentleman is right once again to

highlight the importance of the whisky sector and not least two

large chunks of Scotland, not just concentrated around distilleries.

We are working hard along with Scotch whisky interest to make sure

we work within Europe to break down barriers in India and elsewhere.

There is a level of support for the Scotch whisky industry it could not

hope to have with an independent Scotland. A question about the

Scotland. A question about the Scotland. A question about the

effect of not going ahead with the fuel duty rise announced in the

Autumn Statement.... To put seven motor vehicles saving a typical

driver �40 per year and a haulier top hundred pounds per year.

Blackman. Could my honourable friend agree that by cancelling

planned tax increases on fuel, we will save the average Scottish

motorist more than �600 during the life of this coalition government?

I agree with my honourable friend, the deferral of Labour's planned

duty rise in April this year will mean that fuel will be 13p a litre

cheaper than it would have been under a Labour government.

welcomed the Government listing to our call to stop the rise but could

I ask the Minister what discussions he has had with Scottish Government

in terms of what assistance can be given to smaller retailers, in

particular in rural areas to make sure that people can take advantage

of decent pricing rather than those two and a live in the urban areas?

The honourable lady makes an important point and at the end of

this month I will be meeting with a Fuel distributor panel with MPs and

she will be welcome to join that about Europe distribution in rural

areas. -- about rural distribution. Will the Minister support the call

to lobby the EU to extend the bowel and fuel duty to places like

Argyll? Where honourable friend will have noted that in the midterm

review, the coalition government looked at the possibility of

extending the 5p reduction to areas of the mainland which are similar

to island communities. The cut in fuel duty has been very welcome in

my constituency and I remember asking Labour to do this and it was

refused. When will this be moved to areas to which my constituents pass

on the way home another way back to the mainland? In the previous

answer to my honourable friend from Argyll and Bute, in the midterm

review, the coalition government has undertaken to examine that

possibility. Robert Halfon. Government have done their bit in

cutting fuel duty but will wife honourable friend lobby the oil

companies to take their responsibility -- will my

honourable friend? I am sure that my honourable friend welcomes the

fact that there is an OFT inquiry into fuel prices and I look forward

to seeing the outcome of that inquiry in January. Has been

minister look into whether reductions has been passed on to

motorists in Scotland? If you go to Kennington Road in London you can

buy petrol at 129.9. It is now more expensive to buy petrol next to

where petrol is produced in Scotland than it is in Kennington

in London. Is he doing anything about making sure that the motorist

and not being ripped off? Speaker, the price of fuel at

different Pascal stations in different communities is a matter

which has been of long-term concern -- petrol stations and that is why

the OFT is currently conducting an inquiry into that very issue. In my

previous answer I indicated the results of those inquiries would be

available in January. It will make very interesting reading.

STUDIO: This is a question about the use of Stirling in an

This is looking at a range of issues including the use of the

pound's fall out parts of the United Kingdom. There has been no

discussions about the use of the pound for an independent Scotland.

This means that the Bank of England will be the lender of last resort

for the Bank of Scotland. To stop a repetition of the eurozone, this

means the Government must have an over site role in two Scottish --

in two Scottish spending plans. Speaker there cabinet such

discussions. The point here is that the pound has held Scotland and the

UK well for 300 years and we have seen in the Rose and the risk of

having a formal monetary union without a fiscal union and a

fiscally independent Scotland would create real complications for that.

All this would have to be negotiated after the referendum

vote. I think it would take some persuading more people in the rest

of the UK to take on the role that the SNP wish for it. To the

Minister knows that it is the Scottish Government's intention

that Scotland will continue to use And there is nothing to stop that.

While it makes sense to have a formal union, Woody not agree that

a stability pact based around levels -- would he not agree, is

perfectly sensible and can no way at all be portrayed as a foreign

currency running Scotland's economy? Firstly, I am sure the

House will join me in welcoming the honourable member back to his place.

While we do not always agree, we are delighted to the contribution

he is making and we are glad to see him in good health and we wish him

the best. However, on the issue of the pound after the referendum,

should Scotland vote to become independent, which I believe it

will not do, that will be a matter for negotiation. The credibility of

the Bank of England as the lender of last resort at the moment is

because we have a single, central, fiscal authority and the UK tax

bearer standing behind it. To complicate that would require

negotiations with the rest of the UK which will have to consider its

interest. We can't just have this one-sided wish-list. We must

recognise that there will be a negotiation. Isn't the 0116 229

3118 wrong on this because if there was an independent Scotland, --

isn't the honourable member wrong, they will want to join the European

Union and will they not then therefore be forced to accept the

euro? Many agree with that part with him, he makes an important

point, that amidst all the turmoil over Europe, it has not set out how

it will negotiate the opt out to join the euro. Last year on

December 5th, I took part in a Westminster Hall debate where the

Secretary of State for Scotland said he commissioned a report into

why the separatist lead Dundee City Council was the worst led council.

I have contacted his office but he has yet to get back to me. He said

I would get a letter giving details but I have yet to... Does the

Minister want to ask about the continued use about the pound in an

independent Scotland. I am sure that is what he wanted to do.

the currency arrangements after independence should that be the way,

because I said to be honourable gentleman that my right honourable

friend is delighted to meet him as soon as possible to discuss the

issue he has raised and will make sure that happens. In it may be

that the honourable gentleman wanted to come in unquestioned four

but he was ahead of himself. I am sure he is great bowl.

STUDIO: This is a question about With permission, I'll answer

questions for and nine together. The Department for Work and

Pensions published an impact assessment for welfare benefits

uprating which states around 30% of all households will be affected by

the measures contained in the bill. I thank the Minister for the answer.

Even after changes to tax allowances, a single earning

household with children will be a �534 a year worse off by 20th April

15. Does the Minister still believe the government should be going

ahead as its parity with a tax cut for millionaires?

What I believe is the government should be continuing to work to

sort out the mess in the economy which his Labour government left

behind. The measures announced yesterday will save �5 billion for

which he and his colleagues have given no answers to where they

would find such savings. One in five working families in

Scotland rely on tax credits will see a cut in income as a result of

the changes. Many rely on a low- paid temporary jobs. Can he tell me

what steps he will take in 2013 it to tackle the scourge of our and

employment in Scotland? The Rakhine will be working with a Scottish

government at stake holders to set up an employability forum which

will look at the Government's and interested parties working together

to ensure we get more people into full-time employment -- Secretary

of State. Does the Minister agree the Scottish economy is part of the

UK economy and that the economy of the whole country will not improve

unless and until we bring public spending under control?

I agree with my Honourable Friend. The whole benefits issue is an

example of the SNP Scottish government making promises which

they cannot possibly keep in relation to benefits in an

independent Scotland just simply to curry favour with the electorate.

Thank you. Can the Minister tell us how many members of the armed

forces in Scotland will see income has cut as a result of the vote?

What I can tell the Honourable Lady is that last night's vote was about

ensuring we have a sustainable welfare system and the Honourable

Ladies answer on these issues is more borrowing, more spending and

more debt. She could not say how she would front the rises in

benefits which she voted for. What a disappointing answer. The

answer is 4,000 members of the armed forces. There might be a Lib

Dem leading the Scottish Office but Scots know it is the same old

Tories. In 2010 at the department told us we have absolutely no

desire to see people losing their jobs or being in worse

circumstances than before. Can the Minister explain why they are

failing the test they set themselves?

What the people of Scotland know is it is the same old Labour Party, no

apology for the mess and their only proposal is more spending, more

borrowing and more debts. He must be patient. I am saving him

up! It comes as no surprise that I opposed the cap on benefits last

night because it will hammer thousands of families in Scotland

he would try to bring up children while working hard. Does he share

my surprise that some senior MPs, including Labour Members of

Parliament who left us with this mess, did not turn up to vote?

Nowadays nothing in the SNP members say or do surprises me. The SNP

position is totally hypocritical. In Scotland, the Scottish

government is asking nurses and NHS workers to take a 1% pay rise yet

they want benefits to be more than that.

With permission, I will answer questions five and 12 together.

JobCentre plus operates eight food back referral service however the

government does not hold information on the number seeking

assistance from the food banks. are in its 23rd team and not 1813?

The need for food banks this here is an abominable reflection on

society -- 2013. When you consider you have them in Prestwick which is

one of the most salubrious parts of my constituency. 15% of them are in

employment. What an indictment in this government. While I share his

concern about food banks and the use of food banks and the fact they

are vulnerable people in crisis, what I will not do is excepts the

pretence that somehow food banks have only come into existence since

this government came to power. That is simply not true. There were food

banks under Labour and they did not advertise them in Jobcentres.

What measures does the Minister have it for the increasing number

of people who are forced to go to food banks to feed their families

and what can he do to alleviate the situation?

I certainly acknowledge his concerns. He instigated a useful

Westminster Hall debate on this matter. The government will

continue to do all it can to help and support the vulnerable in his

constituency and elsewhere. Thank you. Two years ago the

Secretary of State said the horrible truth is across the

country everyone is going to have to make a contribution but the

horrible truth of life in Scotland under his government is that a food

bank in my constituency has experienced a father walking 15

miles for a bag of food to feed his family. Is this an appropriate

contribution while the government gives a �2,000 a week cuts to

millionaires? I have indicated already the government is always

concerned about those who need to use food banks for any

circumstances but I am not taking lectures from him on millionaires

when he wants to give them child benefit. The UK government has

allocated millions of investment for rural broadband and Scotland.

It is the responsibility of the Scottish government to deliver on

this.... Towards super-fast broadband access. What is clear is

people throw Scotland want to see the broadband access, in rural

areas, implemented as soon as possible and we will work closely

with a Scottish government to ensure they deliver on the

undertakings they have given for the �100 million they had received.

Can I say to the minister, whilst I recognise the role of Scottish

government plays in the provision of broadband in rural areas, he is

fully aware in areas like his and mind Small and Medium-Sized

Enterprise is depend on good connectivity. What is his

department doing to ensure the Scottish government is delivering?

I can assure him that we would hold the Scottish government to account

for the investment and whilst this government has funded investment in

Edinburgh and Aberdeen and Perth we want to see the Scottish government

delivering for Dumfries and Galloway and other rural areas.

There are too many noisy private conversations taking place. Can I

thank the UK government for their support to the Aberdeen broadband

fund and also the contribution to the expansion of broadband but I

urge him to recognise in rural areas we want super-fast broadband

inner-cities but we need access at speeds for businesses to flourish

in rural areas. I can advise him up that I have met with Aberdeen share

Council to discuss exactly the issue and whilst the super City

broadband is welcome in Aberdeen, we wanted rolled out into

Aberdeenshire as well. Thank you. The use of super-fast broadband is

one of the effective way is to promote the identity of our country.

Will the Secretary of State welcome to Parliament today the Ulster

scotched agency promoting the links between Ulster and Scotland of

which the Secretary of State is a wonderful example as a born

Ulsterman who is serving Scotland actually he used super-fast

broadband to continue to promote our wonderful culture, shared

Ulster and Unionist heritage? Secretary of State is a wonderful

example of many things and the answer is yes. There is too much

noise. A question on the Autumn Statement. I will answer questions

seven and 11 together. A difficult economic backdrop, the Autumn

Statement set out a range of measures to protect Scotland's

economy, to equip businesses to compete in a global race and Selena

growth and to ensure businesses and households in Scotland are treated

fairly. Would he like to confirm one of the disastrous consequences

of any independent Scotland would be a disjointed transport system

and what my constituency in Lincoln my benefit, many in Scotland would

not be happy to see direct rail services from London to Edinburgh

could tales. My Honourable Friend makes an important point about the

importance of keeping Scotland within the UK to the benefit of

Scotland at the whole of the UK. The government said at Villa get

the deficit down, balance the books fairly and get people back to work

but the deficit is billions higher this year than last, one in five

working families have tax credits/and long-term unemployment

is rising fast in Scotland than the rest of the UK. Is he happy to be

part of a government that is failing all of its tests?

The deficit has come down by a quarter and she should acknowledge

we are clearing up the mess that Labour left behind. It will take --

I will take no lessons from hat or her party. We have cut income tax

for the lowest incomes -- earners, we have restored the pension link

and helped millions of motorists in difficult times, they were planning

the opposite. We take no lessons from Labour on managing the economy.

I am afraid that's all we've time for. We will be back again with the