18/12/2013 Scottish Questions

Hello and welcome to a rather festive Westminster for the December

edition of Scottish Questions. We are in a week away from Christmas

Day and as you can see MPs have the Christmas tree decorated. How much

festive cheer was there in the chamber itself. This question is? I

will let you be the judge of that. A mixed bag of questions. We started

with employment in the whiskey industry.

Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland. Mrs Anne McGuire.

Number one. I can assure the honourable lady the whiskey industry

in Scotland and its employees are the key priority. We have contact

with the Scott whiskey association. Since Scotch whisky is exported to

around 200 countries and employs 10,000 people in Scotland the recent

Scottish government White Paper references there will be around 90

embassies if they have their way after independence. There's the

Secretary of State agree that trade agreement brokered by a strong and

extensive UK diplomatic and international trade infrastructure

and integral to the success of Scott -- Scotch whisky exporter. Order. We

are grateful. The honourable lady is absolutely right. 90% of the product

of the Scotch whisky industry is for the export market. It is important

that Scotland has the best possible access to that market through the

network of 270 embassies across the world with the UK, we have that

facility. That is why the Scotch whisky industry makes such good use

of it. Mr Alan Reid. The Scotch whisky industry provides many jobs

in my constituency. But it is unfair that it is taxed higher compared

with the air and wines. -- beer and wines. I don't think, I might be

wrong, but I don't think my honourable friend is right about

that. In any event, I would suggest to him that the information I have

is beer duty is 37%, 42% for whiskey. In any event the position

remains that it is wrong to play one part of Scotland's highly successful

industry against the other. I am sure the Chancellor will listen to

representations from the Scotch whisky industry. I declare an

interest as being the secretary of the Scottish whiskey party group in

the house. As a consequence we have representations every week about the

whole question of the escalator and the unfairness bill is against the

spirit industry with the beer industry. The Chancellor gave so

much last time. What representations have you made to the Chancellor has

overcome that problem? I shall continue to make representations for

the whole food and drink industry in Scotland first top he performs a

very important part in that. I have been with him on many occasions as

part of these delegations and they will continue to give him such

support as I can. 80% of the price of a bottle of Scotch whiskey is

duty -- Scotch whisky is duty. This is widening the price between whisky

and other beverage categories. How does that help the industry and the

employees? The point the honourable gentleman will have two answer is

the Scott Wing -- Scotch whisky industry does very well as part of

the United Kingdom. His policy of independence would put that at risk.

Mr Angus Robertson. The honourable gentleman and I and others lobbied

the Treasury to end duty discrimination. In fact, the

honourable gentleman himself tabled an amendment in this house to end

tax discrimination supported by Liberal Democrat MPs and the SNP.

Since becoming Secretary of State Scotland he has taken the Tory

shine, letting the industry down. When will he stand up and be

Scotland's man in the Cabinet? We must move on. I hope it did sound

better when he rehearsed it in the mirror this morning. There is no

escaping the fundamental truth that he has got a policy which should be

the determination of the Scotch whisky industry for no good reason.

This is a question about low pay in Scotland. Can I with the operation

draw the house attention to the fact that Saturday the 21st of December

will be the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing. It remains the

single largest loss of life ever in the United Kingdom when 270 people

perished that fateful evening. I am sure the thoughts and prayers of the

whole house will be with the community and those who lost friends

and family that evening. Much focus over the last 25 years has been on

the perpetrators. The victims, their friends, their families and the

community of Lockerbie deserve our respect and admiration for the

formidable way in which they have coped with 25 years of an president

it global attention. Mr Speaker, the national minimum

wage is one of the government 's key policies to support the low paid and

is UK wide. On the 1st of October, the minimum wage increase to ?6.31

an hour. We have increased income tax to ?10,000 taking many Scots out

of income tax altogether. I am sure the whole house will commend and

agree with the Minister of State remarks to relation to Lockerbie. In

his other part of the answer he omitted to say that prices have

risen more quickly than wages in 41 of the 42 months he has sat in this

house as a minister. Low pay is on the rise in Scotland but the Valley

of the national minimum wage has declined in real terms in the this

government. -- but the value. When you going to do something concrete

to deal with this? Mr Speaker, the honourable gentleman is simply

wrong. The October adult rate on the minimum wage will be around 27%

higher in real terms concerns -- to the consumer price of theirs. Does

the Minister agree the best way to tackle low paid in Scotland is to

get the economy growing and create jobs. Mark Menzies as the Tory MP

for Lanarkshire. They will welcome the announcement that employment is

up and unemployment is down in Scotland. We are not complacent but

on the right track. Pay is affecting thousands of families. How can we

help those families? They giving them a decent wage or giving them a

tax cut for millionaires? The government supports the concept of

the living wage. It is where employers can afford it. It is at

the cost of jobs. It is something to be encouraged. The UK government's

attitudes towards the living wage is espoused by the honourable lady of

East Dunbartonshire. There was a definition of a living wage and the

government has made the assessment as to its consequences. Is it not

the case that this government should move quickly to introduce a living

wage for its employees wherever they may be based in the UK and stop

hiding behind vacuous arguments that it is too difficult to calculate

given we know it is ?7 60 in Scotland next year and ?8 in London

next year. It is never very surprised to hear the SNP mention

London in the same breath as Scotland. As I have said to the

honourable gentleman from Motherwell, we're sure the

government believes the living wage is a concept that should be

supported well employers can afford it. Margaret Curran. Can I associate

myself with the Minister 's remarks concerning the terrible tragedy of

Lockerbie. Mr Speaker, more that low pay is one of the reasons people

using food banks in Scotland today. I wish nothing personal towards the

minister but I am disappointed the Secretary of State himself is not

answering this question. We know the Secretary of State has begun to

struggle with some of the details in his brief. Let me see the Minister

can actually do any better. What has been the percentage increase in the

number of people using food banks in Scotland in the past year? Given its

Christmas I will offer the minister a hand. Is it, 100%. B, 200%? Aussi,

over 400%? -- or C. The increase in people using food banks doing her

government was 1000%. This government is concerned about the

need for people to use food banks in the moments of crisis in their lives

and we support the development of food banks and those people who

operate them. I was proud to open the food bank in my own

constituency. But to pretend these crises are something of this

government is making and not something that has been going on for

a continuing period of time is to mislead the house. The Minister

should know the actual increase has been 435%. That is over 34,000

people, including 10,000 children may using food banks in Scotland.

Those are shameful figures that all members of this house should pay

attention to. The Minister has refused to be told on why this is

happening. The citizens advice bureau, a trust and Child poverty

action group and all saying this government policy and driving people

in Scotland to use food banks. Minister, and they all wrong? Of

course the honourable lady does not acknowledge these thousand percent

rise in the use of food banks and the last Labour government. We want

to look and understand why there has been an increase in the use of food

banks. That is why DEFRA have committed to a very extensive study

into the use of food aid across the United Kingdom. The honourable lady

will be able to read that when it is published. This is a question about

the legal -- legal immigration. -- illegal immigration. The government

doesn't really know how many illegal immigrant there might be in

Scotland. Given the attraction of the whole of the United Kingdom to

people from other countries I suspect the problem might be rather

greater than the Secretary of State imagines particularly in cities like

Glasgow and Edinburgh. Will the Secretary of State assure the house

he will work closely with the UK Borders agency to ensure Scotland

isn't an easy route into the UK for illegal immigrant. Certainly, Mister

Speaker, that should be no easy routes for anyone in the

circumstances. I would caution the honourable gentleman against

devoting too much Government resource and releasing -- in

relation to the compilation of figures that do not help us tackle

the problem. Can I have what discussion -- Canada squad

discussion has the UK Government had with their Scottish Government about

the operation of border controls in an independent Scotland? I have had

no such discussions so far, the truth of the matter is that either

you can have an open area with no border control or closely aligned

immigration policies. Unlike the position of the SNP, you cannot have

both. For years, immigrants have been vital to the economy. In my

economy, there has been a problem with immigration, not immigration.

Well Secretary of State might have failed to get his colleagues to vote

for war in Syria, what Mike do this Christmas to help refugees come from

Syria, especially given Germany has taken 80% of the total and the UK

has taken zero? Amnesty International says it should cause

heads to hang in shame. This country has a long and proud record of

offering asylum to those who seek it and those who deserve and need it.

That will continue to be the case, Mr Speaker. This is a question about

the Barnett formula. There are no plans to review the Barnett formula

in this Parliament. That is not quite what he said a few weeks ago.

What about the Barnett formula? Will that change post-2014? Alistair

Carmichael, because it was he, he said, they will be no action taken

on the Barnett formula until the economy has stabilised. Why isn't he

just straight with the Scottish people? We all know that the bosses

and paymasters of the no campaign, his Tory friends, want the Barnett

formula scrapped. Isn't this the real cost to the people of Scotland?

?4 billion? It is a classic of the genre, Mr Speaker. Synthetic outrage

at its very best. He knows the Barnett formula is one of the

reasons why the people of Scotland reject independence. And that is why

he is operating his own little project smear to pretend it is

somehow at risk. The position has been put beyond any doubt today by

the Prime Minister in a letter to the First Minister. The honourable

Jenna Coleman -- the honourable gentleman should explain that and

explain to the people of Scotland that the best way to get rid of the

Barnett formula is to vote for independence. Does my right

honourable friend agree with me that last year's Scotland act transferred

substantial tax raising powers to Holyrood and that these complex

changes should be allowed to bed in before we start making any further

radical changes? Ian Stewart is the Conservative MP for milk and he is.

-- Milton Key. The energies of the Scottish Government would be much

more better served if they dealt with these tax changes due to come

on stream in 2016 rather than running around setting up scare

stories. Is the Minister aware that today, what we have seen is the

launch of separatists for Barnet? I couldn't put it better or more

graphically myself, Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mister Speaker. The

Barnett formula has served Scotland, and on the side of the

House, we believe it is at the heart of the distribution across the

entire UK. That is why we support it. I agree with the Secretary of

State that the only threat to the Barnett formula is a vote for

independence. Canny actually sheer with a housewife he believes the SNP

Scottish Government do not understand the Abbey only threat to

the Barnett formula? -- can he actually sheer Dimmock share. They

know the Barnett formula is something people value in the United

Kingdom so they try to pretend it is some truth to it. This is part of

the strategy. All along, they identify things like the pound, the

Bank of England, the ability to build complex warships on the

Clyde, the things people of Scotland value from being part of the UK, and

then pretend you can hold on to them while becoming independent. It is

just not credible and that is why they are losing the accurate. --

adamant. This is a question about the fisheries policy. I have regular

meetings with officials in Scottish Government on the fisheries policy.

Defra also works closely with the Scottish Government to make sure the

interests of Scottish fishermen are fully recognised in the UK position

in EU fisheries negotiations. I congratulate the Government on

achieving reform, introducing an element of regional control. What

assessment has my right honourable friend made of the implications for

Scottish fishermen and will be benefit greatly from it? I have long

been an enthusiast for the regionalisation of the common

fisheries policy and I am delighted that now for the second-round of

reform, we have seen that at the heart of it, there is still more

that can be done, but anything that rings fishermen, scientists and

other stakeholders together in order to manage fisheries away from

Brussels has got to be good. As surprised as I was to CSN P Minister

Richard Lochhead -- SNP minister Richard Lochhead claiming he has

secured a quarter deal for Scottish fishermen and then saying he has no

voice, isn't the fact that Scottish fishing is best represented in the

EU with a strong voice as part of the UK? No, Mr Speaker, I was not at

all surprised, because that is exactly the sort of double standard

we have seen from the SNP over the years on this issue and just about

every other. The fact of the matter is that my honourable friend the

Fisheries Minister led the delegation this year to the December

fisheries Council with the exceptional skill. He developed for

the Scottish fleet of things that really matter, in particular

ensuring there was no further cut in effort and has not inflexibility on

monkfish quarters. He should be commended for that. There's far too

much noise in the chamber. Let's have some quiet. We would like to

hear Scottish night, Sir Menzies Campbell. No pressure then, Mr

Speaker. Will my honourable friend give proper consideration to the

Scottish fisheries? Will he paid particular attention to the village

-based fishing industry, particularly in places like my own

constituency and sounding ports? It is vital that the interests of

village -based fisheries is not subjected to the overbearing

influence sometimes of those who go further out to sea. I know from my

own constituency experience, Mr Speaker, that the small inshore

fleet is updated Porton 's -- great importance to the committee see

their presents. The point he makes is very well made. It is important

we do we can't sustain the fleet in these small ports. -- that we do

what we can to sustain. The negotiations with Norway being

postponed means that the fishing fleet faces an uncertain New Year.

Only support the Scottish Government's call for an increase in

North Sea cod quote next year in line with scientific advice? That is

a subjective be determined in January. These are being held over.

While it would be desirable to see an increase of that sort, what the

industry are looking for, but is not within our powers but as an EU

negotiation. This is about rural energy prices. Rural consumers face

particular challenge on energy bills. My right honourable friend is

working with Dell interested parties to obtain more secure and affordable

supplies. I'm due to meet your key in the New Year to discuss this

matter. -- to meet the OFT. As he is well aware, though consumers are so

often forgotten with energy prices. It is supposed to be technologically

neutral, but major energy companies will not include LPG and home fuel

boilers within the schemes. This is surely discriminatory. Will he

presses colleague Stephen skewer -- will he presses colleagues to ensure

these schemes are included? I will happily do that. I would suggest to

him to hold, as we did on rural feel, event table to discuss this

with other MPs. Is my honourable friend aware of the particular

difficulties in rural areas where there is no access to means supplies

for both gas and oil? Will he commend the contest of heating clubs

which are done to -- which have brought down costs. What will the

Government do to assist? The Government is very keen to support

oil clubs such as the one in Caithness. I'm sure the issues which

concern the honourable gentleman's constituents are ones which will be

ably discussed at the round table we propose in the Scotland Office with

Scottish MPs. Why do the SNP, Tories and Liberal Democrats all agree that

the price should draw from the energy Bill to the tax Bill and

energy company should be let off scot-free? What we believe is that

something should be done about the mess of the actress of the industry

that his party left behind. That is why we are seeking to move people on

to lower tariffs, that is why we are rolling back green levies, and that

is why we encourage competition. What his party offers as a gimmick

and a con. This is another energy-related question about oil

and gas extraction from the North Sea. That is exactly why we ask them

to carry out this review in the first place. After his final report

is submitted early next year, Government will look at plans to

make the most of all sure oil and gas fields. He will be aware that

Sir Ian Wood in his report refers to much of the North Sea as a mature

environment and the need for the to maximise the economic recovery for

what is a diminishing resource. Does the Secretary of State agree with me

that fragmentation of fiscal and readily to the regimes Chris Evert

at arrangements in Scotland in the UK will minimise the chance of

achieving the output of those reforms? It is very well clear to

all those who have an informed view of this industry that its best

future lies as part of the UK rather than as a Scotland separated out

from the rest of the United Kingdom. It is a mature industry and still

has a great deal to offer, but it is telling that the recent white paper

gives absolutely no guarantees about the future of field allowances in

the industry which is going to be absolutely crucial to the future the

element of it. Isn't the most exciting thing about the report that

the consensus here is discovered in the industry that with more

regulation, is stronger regulator, more resources for the regulator,

that is the potential to unlock even greater investment supporting jobs,

tax and energy security? I think the real strength of the report, Mr

Speaker, at least the interim version of it, is that it has

credibility in the industry because it has been informed by the industry

and led by one of the most respected figures in it. That is all we have

got time for the moment because of the holiday break and the

Parliamentary timetable, and the next Scottish questions is not until

Wednesday 15th of debris. Use those diaries to make a note of that. --

Wednesday 15th of February. We know what an important year it will be in

Scottish politics. From Oliver sea, goodbye. -- from all of us here,

goodbye. Have a very Merry Christmas and happy