21/11/2012 Scottish Questions

A very warm will come up to it a decidedly wet Westminster for

Scottish Questions. Because of the way the parliamentary timetable

works, this is the final Scottish Questions of 2012 oz up we will see

whether there is any Christmas goodwill on offer. The economy at

the Scottish independence referendum have featured

prominently. Up here is how proceedings got under way.

Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland. Thank you Mr Speaker.

Up the UK Government firmly believes that Scotland is and

always will be better off as part of the UK. We are undertaking

analysis to see how Scotland contributes to an benefits from

being part of the UK. Can I thank the Minister for that answer. I

would also like to explain to the House why is so much concern among

industries in Scotland about the future of their jobs. As it was in

April, there are 15,000 regular armed forces and minis their

defence personnel based in Scotland, and that the additional 40,000

employed in related industries. Not one of those people could guarantee

their jobs under an independent Scotland. The SNP's commitment to a

nuclear three Scotland would presumably mean the end of Trident

and that would mean the end of 6000 jobs in Scotland. What those be

replicated elsewhere are what they simply lose their jobs? I can

advise the honourable gentleman that by Twenty20, there will be

8000 jobs based at Faslane following the announcement of an

additional 1500 jobs by the Secretary of State for Defence.

There is no certainty what would happen to anybody employed by the

defence under-threes within Scotland under an independent

Scotland. -- Industries. The recent list of job announcements and

Scotland has been quite remarkable. In the renewable sector, the

ministry will no there was �2.3 billion worth of announcements this

year and further jobs attached. Each of those decisions have been

taking in the sure and certain knowledge that the referendum is

coming and independence as likely. -- is likely. LAUGHTER Why are

these decisions continuing to be made and why has nobody listening

to the scare stories? These investments are taking place

despite the uncertainty, not because of it. I tend to agree with

the person who gave evidence yesterday to one of the committees

of this Parliament, who said they supported benefits of independence

are small, 10 years and are likely to arise, while the dangers are

large and serious. The Minister mentioned uncertainty but the only

uncertainty we have seen as the massive increase in the North Sea

supplementary charge. The Government are now making it easier

to sack people. As it not the case as another set earlier this year,

that in the event of independence, the Scottish government's approach

will be to make Scotland more and not less competitive? Is that not

the truth, instead of scare stories? When the people of

Scotland have a decision on independence in the referendum,

they must be sure that that decision is a long-term decision.

Independence is not for Christmas 2014, and that the honourable

gentleman look at the report, he would see it that an independent

Scotland would face much harder decisions than the rest of the UK

in the longer term. Are we aware that 30,000 Scots are employed by

UK agencies to work as civil servants were in Scotland? --

within. What would happen to those jobs that Scotland opted for

independence and has there been clarity from the SNP? There has

been no discussion between the SNP and the UK Government about the

future of defence based jobs in Scotland, or indeed civil-service

jobs or any other jobs. Those people face a great uncertainty if

Scotland were to become independent. The agreement reached between the

United Kingdom and Scotland's governments recognises that a

referendum should be based on the normal rules for referenda across

the United Kingdom. It is clearly important that all parties respect

the independence of the Electoral Commission. Do you agree that if

the SNP administration were to ignore the advice of the Electoral

Commission, it would take the whole process at column to question

whether the referendum was there. - - taint. -- fair. I do not think it

would be in the interests of the Scottish government on any

nationalists to put themselves against the advice of the Electoral

Commission. Does the Minister shared concerns that the referendum

question some that it is weighted in favour of a positive outcome?

understand the concerns some people have with the particular

formulation put forward, but I think the Electoral Commission with

its great experience is in the correct position to do the right

thing. I am ready to stand by the advice they get and I hope the

Scottish government is as well. you except that while the Electoral

Commission might be at a full week on occasions, it is necessary to

have an impartial body deciding on these questions? The alternative is

to have separate arrests as both the referee and player in these

circumstances. It is unacceptable to have a side which is arguing on

one side also deciding the rules. quite agree with that. He and his

colleagues have been carrying out a series of investigations into this

on the question of independence. The referendum has to be seen to be

fair to both sides. We cannot possibly have circumstances at the

end of this process where people are calling into question the

outcome. I hope the Scottish government well accept the

Electoral Commission's advice. Given that any proposals to extend

the franchise to 16 and 17 year- olds is not likely to take into

effect until the spring of 2014, will advise be available and how

those people should register and vote? She raises at a very

important point about the extension of the franchise. This will be a

matter for the Scottish government to bring forward their detailed

proposals. I imagine the Electoral Commission will outline advice.

Given that yesterday in front of the honourable gentleman from the

Scottish Affairs Select Committee, the gentleman who gave it evidence

on behalf of BES to separation campaign campaign -- yes to

separation campaign, what sanctions are there within government foray

campaign which blatantly refuse to take the advice of the Electoral

Commission? I have to say, this government and its spread assessors

have always followed the advice of the Electoral Commission and I

would expect the Scottish government to do that as well. --

predecessors. The Secretary of State has just asserted once again

that no government has ever in -- ignored the advice of the Electoral

Commission. Far from ignoring, a Scottish government is yet to

receive its advice while his government have rejected the advice

on the council tax in England. Could he put the record straight

now? I hope I can reassure the honourable gentleman at help him to

come down, because it as John Cormack said on television last

weekend, for a very referendum that has taken place, the Electoral

Commission's advice and question have been accepted. Noah referenda

have taken place on the council tax matters he mentioned. We have

reflected on the advice and will be bringing forward proposals on that

I have all answer questions three and 12 together. This government is

committed to promoting United Kingdom businesses including

Scotland's around the world. The review is currently being taken

under -- on Scottish exporting. Does he agree that as well as

promoting business, we also need to support businesses at that time

when access to finance is so important? What steps is she taking

to work with the Scottish government to ensure prompt payment

and in particular, that private sector suppliers are paid and the

timely fashion? It is certainly something we as the Government are

committed to to ensuring that private sector suppliers are paid

on time, to make sure business as sustained and by a happy to work

with the Scottish government or anybody else to make sure everyone

adheres to best practice. What action is being taken to ensure

there is no conflict between Scottish Development and elsewhere

when they are using public money to attract companies the north side of

the border with a big a character? He underlines the importance of

trade between the Scottish and British economies. Up it comes to

half the value of what we sell into England, Wales and the rest of the

UK. UKTI Has 162 offices in 96 countries. This offers a get

network for Scottish business to get the best out of the United

Kingdom. I think it is important we work together but it is clear we

would be stronger together and weaker apart. As we have seen, the

work that is being undertaken here has an impact on Scottish

businesses at home and abroad. Can I draw the Secretary of State's

attention to the Troubles Scottish businesses are currently

experiencing close up unemployment is now higher in Scotland than in

the rest of the UK. Recent research reveals a further challenge for the

Scottish economy and Scottish businesses also up -- business is

also up welfare changes alone will remove Ilott the money from the

economy and lead to the loss of jobs across Scotland. What does he

Where they share this analysis is that there is a huge mess that

needs to be cleared up. There are some deep-seated problems in the UK

and Scottish economy is in real problems in Europe. But what she

cannot do, what she tries to do every time that she comes to this

dispatch box, is to duck Labour's responsibility for what we have

inherited. We are hoping that to welfare reform we make work pay.

The risk or at -- -- support the most vulnerable and help people

back into work. From next April islanders and 62,000 Scots will be

taken out of tax altogether. Some colleagues from their Liberal

Democrats do not share his views, and Katie asked then to -- and

Katie asked them if to give him some more support? The Secretary of

State has to start addressing the work his government is doing in

Scotland. Earlier this month in a letter to new Secretary of State

revealed that he is not on one of the Cabinet committee meetings

dealing with the economy or welfare. We had no action on the banks, now

no action on Scotland's economy. He does not understand the end Peck of

the welfare changes on Scotland. -- the impact. When is he going to

start doing his job? I am certainly doing my job. Is he doing his?

are going to take no lessons from the Labour Party about the state of

the United Kingdom economy. We will deal with the mess that they left

us, get us back on the right track, and give ourselves a sustainable

growth. Labour had no plan whatsoever. With permission, I will

answer questions 4 and 5 together. I have discussed a referendum with

the Scottish Government on a number of occasions, most recently on 15th

October, when Scotland's two governments came to an agreement to

make sure that there is a legal and decisive referendum. Does the

Secretary of State's agree with me that one of arguments for a

referendum is based on the false premise that independence to be

good for the Scottish economy? Does he agree with me that it would be

good for the English economy but not for the Scottish economy?

certainly agree with my honourable friend that Scotland is stronger as

part of the United Kingdom economy and would be weaker outside it.

Primarily because we have access to this single market which takes

twice as many exports as anywhere else in the world. We have the

cloud, internationally, to be at the top table were all the key

economic decisions are made. That is far better for Scotland.

Does the Secretary of State agree at me that last week we signed

example of what happens when you do not listen to the electoral

commission, in that the Debach call on the police commissioners's

elections -- the disaster. Will the Secretary of State us top to the

Scottish Government to make sure that the same disaster does not

happen in Scotland has happened last week? And I do not agree with

him on the example that he uses, but on the principle that we should

listen to their electoral commission and follow his advice, I

am in complete agreement with pence. I was not particularly standing on

this particular issue. Mr Wisheart, have a go. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Can the Minister confirm that following the end -- the Edinburgh

Agreement, the referendum is now a matter are the Scottish parliament

and this House has no further role? I know that the honourable

gentleman always wants to denigrate the parliament of which he has a

part, and I wish he would stop doing that, but a rather important

part of that agreement is that we will pass the section 30 order

which will transfer the power was to the Scottish Parliament. That

one of debates in this place and the other place as well as in the

Scottish Parliament. We are all part of this debate and all Scots

will be part of that political process. When the Secretary of

State does next meet the First Minister will he sure where pen a

powerful call by Hillary Clinton, that reminds us that there things

that bind us together for a more powerful than any distinctions and

identity. Wasn't the institute were does cost studies right to point

out that we want to diversify the Scottish economy away from revenue

dependence on oil and gas revenues. We need an economy which benefits

Scotland and is the likely result of our shared prosperity in the

future? The honourable gentleman makes two important points. House

senior international figures, when you look at their decision that

confronts Scots, time and again say that eight in Scotland would be

better as part of the United Kingdom. And it is significant to

show Scotland's economy as stronger within the UK. There are far too

many noisy conversations taking place, mainly on the opposition

benches. Scotland is stronger in defence terms as part of the United

Kingdom within Nato. That is the bedrock of our national security

and the UK is one of its largest contributors. There is no guarantee

that an independent Scotland would gain automatic membership. What

discussions has my right honourable friend held with the Scottish

Government and discussing Scotland's stance on Natal, given

that so many within the government anti- nuclear. It is not clear that

the Scottish Government has had any dialogue a tall with Nato about

prospective membership. It is clear or that membership could not be

guaranteed. The door does not open just because you stand in front of

it. The dockyard in my constituency works for the Ministry of Defence

and the Royal Navy. Will the Minister clarify whether of

Scotland was a separate country, regardless of its Nato membership,

the dockyard be not be getting work from the Royal Navy. Mr Speaker,

many UK defence contractors benefit from contracts which are exclusive

to the UK. Many have been awarded in the honourable member's

constituency in there is no guarantee that these contracts

would be awarded in an independent Scotland. Does my honourable friend

agree that there is an hour problem with saying that there is a an

opposition to nuclear weapons and a membership of Nato? I agree. Some

members of the Scottish National Party agree with pen. They cannot

reconcile their positions. -- with Hearn. But many SNP's continue to

sit in government in Scotland where they cannot reconcile those two

positions. The United Kingdom government has reduced the deficit

by a quarter. We are taking important steps to promote growth

and corporation tax, accelerating infrastructure projects and the

funding for lending scheme are just some of the measures being

implemented. Does the Secretary of State agree with a recent

assessment by the Institute of Fiscal Studies that in the event of

a separate Scotland the economy will not be sustainable in the long

term? I quite agree with the honourable gentleman. We have got a

much stronger opportunity to continue as part of the United

Kingdom than we do if we go alone separate way. The meat processing

factory at Port less than in my constituency has been put up for

sale. -- in Aberdeenshire. honourable friend makes an

important point. Clearly these had been very important months,

particularly for those who had been implied in West Lothian in meat

producing, and now we have the sale of the rest of the grip. I would be

happy to meet with my honourable friend to discuss the implications.

Hopefully we will sustain the jobs that run the company.

constituency in Cambuslang have also been affected by a company

ceasing operations in Scotland. Those 400 people are obviously very

anxious about their future. We do contact the company to make sure

that their employees get a guarantee on their position as soon

as possible? The honourable gentleman makes a very fair point.

How will certainly on his staff have take that up with the company.

I will be happy to meet the pen to discuss it further. -- meet with

him. The UK government is committed to providing the best high-speed

broadband by 2015. The Scottish Government was allocated money to

support broadband improvements. It is now in their hands. This

Government had allocated over �100 million to Scotland for rural high-

speed broadband. Will the Minister please do all that they can to

encourage the Scottish Government to get in Avon to make sure that --

to get a move on to make sure that there is high-speed broadband in

Argyll and Bute as soon as possible. I will encourage these agencies to

get on with it in terms of their -- in terms of rural broadband. I am

very concerned about all Scotland getting super-fast broadband. As

the Minister aware that BT had just announced that they are going to

roll-out copper wire into parts of my constituency. It is last

century's technology. Could he Totty BT about rolling out fibre-

optic wiring across sold Scotland at -- could he talked to be tea.

would be happy to discuss this issue. Does the Minister agree that

broadband coverage per cent say us to be based on local authority

airier rather than national area -- percentages. The Scottish

Government has been given �100 million and they should get on with

it in his constituency and elsewhere.