11/01/2012 Scottish Questions

A very warm welcome to Westminster for the first programme of 2012.

The weather here at Westminster is unseasonably mild, and the

political temperature is rising as well. The announcement last night

from the First Minister Alex Salmond that he wants an

independence referendum in Scotland, in the autumn of 2014 has led the

constitutional genie out of the bottle. Proceedings began with a

very specific question about defence and security.

Order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

We have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on defence

matters relating to Scotland. My right honourable friend the

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State last spoke to the minister of

defence personnel this week. As recently as November, the Prime

Minister said there are no current plans to reduce -- reduce the

number of MoD police officers at naval bases. However since then the

Government has confirmed plans to cut the budget of the MoD police by

50%. To the Prime Minister's assurances hold any water? What

proportion of these cuts will fall in Scotland, and as he believed the

threat to national security have diminished if -- sufficiently in

recent months to justify a 50% cut in numbers? What the Prime Minister

said stance, there are no current plans for the MoD to reduce the

core police role or security of our national institutions such as

nuclear safety. We take national security and the security of the

defence installations and as the highest priority we have. We have

so many MoD police in Scotland and the first place because of the huge

defence imprint that we have. That would be addressed if the country

were to be independent. -- at risk. I am delighted the Secretary of

State has mentioned this, that there would be no current plans to

reduce the number of MoD police. I would hope that he can assure the

House that the Government will never adopt any plans to reduce the

security at these bases because of the installations there. As I said,

national security is our highest priority as a government. We will

do nothing but compromise is and -- that will compromise his insecurity.

The system must stay fair and affordable, and the benefit will

increase by 5.2% in April. The debt consolidation plan, the Government

will increase the child element of the child tax credit by the rate of

inflation. According to the House of Commons library, under the

Government's decision not to go ahead with the �110 increase in the

child element of tax credits, it will mean �41 million has taken

away from almost 400,000 children in Scotland alone. The worst hit in

Scotland will be Glasgow City, where 44,000 children are set to

miss out on �4.8 million. When will the Secretary of State stand up for

the children of Scotland? Government is standing up for the

children of Scotland. That is why its priority is sorting out the

mess was the last Labour government made of our economy. I think the

honourable gentleman would do well to heed the words of the former

Secretary of State, who said the truth is that the Labour Party

would have to make cuts if it were in power. We all it said we are in

difficult economic times, but with the Minister agree one of the most

effective ways of helping the lowest-paid families is to raise

the income tax threshold to 10,000? I agree with my honourable friend.

This has had significant impact in Scotland, and over 2 million basic

rate taxpayers will benefit from the proposal over the period of the

spa element. After another week dominating the headlines on

Scotland's constitution, we cannot ignore the Child poverty problems.

What action does the Secretary of State have to make sure the

children of Scotland have the best start in life? He raises an

important issue, and how it will -- highlights that many of the

decisions rest with the Scottish government. The Scottish government

received only if -- over �500 million in additional revenue, and

I would have thought they would be better focused and how to deploy

that, rather than obsessing about the constitution for.

The Secretary of State and I firmly believe that Scotland is the ideal

destination for international inward investment, and we have

taken a range of departments -- Does my Honourable Friend accept

On I agree with my honourable friend, which is why I believe it

is better that a referendum on Scottish and a attendances held

sooner, rather than later. In contrast to the previous

intervention, will the Minister acknowledge that international

companies investing in Scotland since the election of the SNP

Scottish government include Amazon, Hewlett-Packard, does the Minister

acknowledged this and welcome the investment to? What I acknowledge

his these companies have invested in spite of the uncertainty. Think

of the level of investment that Scotland could achieve if there was

not uncertainty. That is the usual mantra we hear from the government,

so perhaps he can answer Scotland's leading entrepreneur, who said,

business is not concerned about the independence referendum. Whilst

many of us in business are convinced about is that a

prosperous future for the country depends on securing real economic

powers through constitutional change. Will the UK Government

dropped its bullish conditions -- drop its foolish conditions? He is

entitled to his opinion, just like any other citizen of Scotland. I am

sure you will encourage them to contribute to the consultation on

the independence referendum. Does my Honourable Friend believe

that for Scotland to become separate from the United Kingdom,

and if it were forced to join the euro-zone as a condition, that this

would hinder or help inward investment into Scotland? What I

would say to my honourable friend is uncertainty over Scotland's

position in the EU over which currency Scotland will use of it

were to come independent will certainly hinder inward investment

in Scotland. According to the annual population

survey of 2010, the proportion of 18-19-year-old estimated to be not

in education, employment or training in Scotland was 36,000.

That answer does not really answer the question. What is happening

between the ages of 16 and 18, which is as important, if not more

important? What is he doing to try to encourage youngsters into

industry, to be able to take on apprenticeships in joinery,

electrician, and plumbing? That is where there is a failure in trying

to attract people into these industries. Does he not agree that

the idea of the school's liaison committees that I suggested to him

is something that is worthwhile support in? He is right to focus on

this issue. Youth unemployment is something we are all concerned

about, and when I was in his constituency, it is right we all

come together with employers, and all the agencies, to help young

people. The use contract which we announced before Christmas, will

bring �1 billion extra investment into supporting the young

unemployed, which uses -- whether it is wage incentives, work

experience opportunities, or money to the Scottish government that

could be used to create those school liaison groups that he wants

to see. Youth unemployment is a huge concern on all sides of the

house, and across Scotland. The youth contract will help that by

providing 40,000 opportunities for young people in Scotland. But this

will not be solved easily, so what will he do to bring together people

from UK government, Jobcentres, Scottish government, business

employers and education opportunities to bring the

opportunities to the young people of Scotland? Over many months I

have been bringing together those groups in different part of

Scotland. At the end of March, along with the Secretary of State

for work and pensions and the Scottish Finance Secretary, I will

bring everyone together so we can focus on tackling this. The problem

with the Secretary of State's complacent answers is that he

simply does not grasp the scale of the crisis of slumping demand,

employment and confidence, which Scotland's economy is gripped by

due to the crushing austerity imposed by the Government. Does he

not share the real fears of the people, that with youth

unemployment at over 21%, and seven people chasing every vacancy in

Scotland, there are not just enough jobs in Scotland to go around? Is

it not time to change course by boosting demand, and cutting VAT,

before the economic plan plunges Scotland into the misery of another

downturn? It is wrong for the Labour Party to be complacent about

his record in the economy, which landed us in this mess and the

first place. One of my predecessors said Labour has to face up to be

challenges of the economy and deficit. We want to work with

everyone so we can reduce youth unemployment, and the youth

contract, I invite them to look at in more detail.

The Government took action in the Autumn Statement to build a

stronger and more balanced economy. As a result more than �500 million

has been added to the Scottish government budget by the UK budget,

which provides the Scottish Government with additional

resources in these uncertain times. Can I sank the Minister for that,

but would he agree with me that one of the most important ways to

tackle poverty is ensuring there is full-employment? Does he therefore

share my concerns that jobs seems set to be a move to end my

constituency -- set to be removed. I know the honourable lady as a

campaigner for this, and employers Can I tell the minister that on

Monday, when 700 of my constituents returned to work at a construction

company, they were told that their company were going into

administration, without any consultation whatsoever. I am told

that the Scottish Enterprise was not even aware of it. The trade

unions were not aware of it. The NS -- MSP was not aware of it. This

company was taken over two years ago when it had a turnover of �200

million. It has now been run into the ground, and the executives have

run away with the money. Can the Minister made with me to discuss

what we can do to save as many of But someone from South Lanarkshire,

I am disappointed to hear what you have related. I would be pleased to

meet with him to ensure that employment is secured in South

Lanarkshire. My Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State, is

in contact with the Department of Work and Pensions on welfare reform.

We met to discuss at secondary review of the work capability

assessment. Thank you for that answer. You will be a way of a

report from the Citizens' Advice Bureau examining incorrect and in -

- examining incorrect conclusions made by several reviews. Is it time

for the Government to consider the recommendations of the report that

financial penalties be booked on thought incorrect assessments?

was one of the issues the Secretary of State and I discussed with the

Professor Harrington. We know that as he moves forward to prepare his

father report, this is inevitably one of the issues he will address.

There are far too many noisy private conversations taking place.

Thank you Mr Speaker. Now that the move from incapacity benefit to

employment support allowance is under way, it would appear that

people are finding it difficult to carry out work capability

assessments and there could be extra delays. Will you please

engaged with fellow ministers in the Department of Work and Pensions

to make sure that they can deliver on their contract? I can certainly

ensure that I will pass on concerns to the Department.

And the question about the independence referendum.

I will answer questions 7, 8, 10 together. I made a statement

yesterday about how any referendum could be made legal, fair and

decisive. I discussed this with the First Minister and hope to have

fathered discussions across Scottish Civic Society during the

consultation. -- further discussions. The House of Commons

library had showed that the academies of Quebec and Canada

suffered during constitutional uncertainty in the 1990s. For the

sake of jobs in Scotland and England, do you agree the last

thing we need is a prolonged period of constitutional uncertainty and

the First Minister should get on with that? You are correct to point

to that analysis and the experience we can see from Quebec and the rest

of Canada. It is vital that the economic uncertainty we now face

because of the referendum is resolved and that is why we have

brought forward proposals to make it legal, beer and decisive and I

wanted to happen as soon as possible. -- legal, freer and

decisive. Will you confirm if a UK Government does not have an

independent referendum, one cannot take place? The central issue from

my consultation is that as things currently stand the Scottish

Parliament does not have the legal power to hold a referendum. We have

to provide that by working with them. I am committed to working

with the Scottish Government, from people across the country, to get

the power devolved to Scotland and the Scottish Government can develop

the question and we can get on with the referendum to be made in

Scotland or the people of Scotland. Have you had any conversations to

establish what impact an independent Scotland would have on

the relationship with the European Union and the euro? You are

absolutely focusing on some central issues. We need to debate those as

to whether Scotland should go its own way or continued to be part of

the more successful multi- nation state in the history of the world.

It is vital it does, so let us get on, devolve the power to make it a

legal and fair referendum and make a decisive. The Scottish affairs

select committee has already embarked on an inquiry to identify

those issues such as defence, which need to be resolved before a

referendum is held. Do you plan to continue -- do you plan to

contribute to that debate? certainly do. What is important is

not just the debate now about the future of Scotland, but everyone in

the country gets the opportunity to participate in the consultation on

the sheet of the referendum and I hope people will respond. But not

just politicians should get involved. Defence, welfare, the

state of the economy, all a much steeper within the United Kingdom.

These are important matters we are discussing. We should do so in an

atmosphere of mutual respect. We now know there will be an

independence referendum in the autumn of 2014 -- of 1914...

LAUGHTER. That was the year the Great War started. There will be an

independence referendum in 2014 designed and decided by the people

of Scotland. If you are so concerned about the legal powers of

that referendum, why not evolved those powers through section 30

without condition? I see the Prime Minister has walked in. I hope you

can encourage the Prime Minister to come to Scotland in the next two

years, because you are the best recruiting sergeant to a yes word

mac. The Prime Minister will be a bill participant. -- yes and vote.

The most important thing is we have a referendum made his Scotland or

the people of Scotland about the future of Scotland. You have put

forward your preference for when the referendum should be. But we

have to make sure it is a legal referendum. I hope the Scottish

Government will work with us to make sure that is the case. Thank

you very much. Does the Secretary of State recognise that following

these developments the referendum campaign is now effectively

underway? It is time to get on to the substance of the issue. Given

that the Scottish Government have said they have been involved for

some time in details about the prospects for Scotland, could the

Secretary of State indicate if in the UK Government officials have

been involved in any discussions relating to the future of the

Scottish economy? In particular, whether a separate Scotland keeps

the pound, joins the euro or has a separate currency. You are right to

focus in on these key issues about the future of Scotland. I believe

Scotland's places best served by continuing to be part of the United

Kingdom, with the economy is stronger, Defence more secure, much

greater cloud internationally. The welfare system will be more

generous and better. I hope we can publish plans for what will be

planned in Scotland, but as she says, let the debate get on. Thank

you for your answer. Do you agree with me that one of Britain's

greatest achievements was the creation of the welfare state? Can

either on ask if any questions have taken place about the implications

of separation for welfare spending Scotland, particularly as recent

figures reveal that welfare spending in Scotland was three

times greater than oil revenues in 2010? You make an important about

the contrast between the level of spending to support some of the

most vulnerable in society in Scotland and the rest of the

country and the volatility of oil revenues. What I believe as we can

have a more secure and generous welfare system by securing the

risks and benefits across the whole UK. Would my Right Honourable

friend agreed that all Scots should be entitled to vote on any

referendum in independence, whether or not living in Scotland,

including my father, a proud Scotsman, who happens to live in

England and thinks of himself as first and foremost British? I pay

tribute to your father's says of Patriot system and I am sure he

like many other Scots around the country and indeed the world will

want to contribute to this consultation. -- -- Patriot system.

This is a historic decision, done on a legal, be a basis and on a

straight forward the size of bases. Let us get that sorted and get on

with the debate. And the question about youth

unemployment. The Government has committed...

apologise for interrupting. We are discussing youth unemployment. It

is an important matter and I want to hear his answer.

Back you, Mr Speaker. We have committed 1 billion over three

years to implement the new contract. -- thank you. The Norwegian centres

for employers to recruit 18-24- year-olds from the work programme

and increased work opportunities for this age group. I thank you for

your answer. You aware of the rising levels of youth unemployment

and North Ayrshire and has seen its strong representation from MPs from

that region. What more do you think this Government can do at

Westminster to increase more public and private investment? And I

acknowledge the work the honourable lady has done and the fact we met

to discuss this serious issue recently. It is important that the

youth contract that the Deputy Prime Minister was in Scotland to

discuss on Friday is something taken advantage of across the

country and I look forward to coming to your constituency to meet

with those people to discuss how to implement it effectively.

And a question about subsidies to key services in Scotland and the

North of England. It is for the department -- it is for the

parliament to Scotland to discuss allocating budgets. There is an

annual subsidy to the Post Office of �150 million and �180 million

for this financial year. It is not distributed by country or region.

It would be helpful in the forthcoming debate that all these

figures are made public, so that my constituents and others can fully

participate. And I absolutely agreed that the debate in relation

to the independence of Scotland should be based on facts and on the

issues, which is why we need to move on from the process and get on

with the referendum. The question of the referendum on

Scotland isn't a matter just for the Scottish Government or people.

How and when will my constituents in England B asked on this matter?

Mr Speaker, the Honourable Gentleman's constituents have the

opportunity to be represented on this is due to the honourable