23/03/2016 Scottish Questions

Hello and a very warm welcome to Westminster for the March edition

of Scottish Questions.

Not much springlike weather around, I'll grant you, but, incidentally,

this is the final Scottish Questions before the Holyrood elections.

And also the Scotland Bill, which will give Holyrood far more powers,

completes its passage through Westminster today,

so no shortage of topics for MPs to concentrate on.

But proceedings began with a question about the noble

game of golf, and its importance to the Scottish economy.

Order, order.

Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr Tom Pursglove.

Question number one, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, can I begin by expressing

the solidarity of the people

of Scotland with the people of Belgium at this difficult time?

Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go to

all those who were killed and their families and friends and, indeed,

all those caught up in yesterday's horrific events.

Golf makes a huge contribution to Scotland's economy.

Independent analysis in 2013 showed the game contributed

over £1 billion in revenues and supports some 20,000 jobs.

There are almost 600 golf courses across the country,

generating annual revenues of £582 million.

-Mr Pursglove.

-I thank the Minister for that answer,

and I very much share the sentiments of solidarity he expressed towards

the people of Belgium at this very difficult time.

Given the success he talked about in relation to golf in Scotland,

what steps is he taking to try to secure further

investment in this very important industry for Scotland?

Mr Speaker, there is one new opportunity to support golf

and young people in golf which arose in last week's Budget,

and the sugar tax element of it which will see

investment in the wider UK in sport in schools.

I hope the Scottish Government will follow through

and use those funds to develop sport in schools,

including golf which is a very popular sport, as we've heard.

We also have the opportunity this year to present

Scotland's golfing merits to the wider world

with the British Open at Royal Troon.

That will be a showcase for the world

on Scotland's golfing opportunities.

-Dr Philippa Whitford.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I thank the right honourable gentleman for mentioning

my local golf course.

As the MP for Royal Troon, we look forward to welcoming people in July.

But I wonder whether the Secretary of State

would discuss with his other colleagues on the front bench

about having a regional strategy for smaller airports,

in that at Prestwick, you fly in over Royal Troon,

and, perhaps, while the Chancellor is in a listening mood,

to consider perhaps a VAT reduction for rural tourism,

which would help many constituencies across the UK?

Presumably with a view to people then playing golf.

But they need to come here first.

Indeed they do, as you pertinently observe from a sedentary position.

Indeed, and I'd be very happy to meet with the honourable lady

to discuss those issues further.

I am also very interested in pursuing the proposed

Ayrshire regional growth deal, which, I know,

has golf at the heart of it, in terms of promoting

tourism in that part of Scotland.

-Alberto Costa.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Can I add my contribution on that topic and say it was

with pleasure that I saw, last week,

the Secretary of State share a platform with

the First Minister, who, I'm sure, discussed the topic just discussed.

But could he also confirm that's an example of the two Governments

working together for the interests of the people of Scotland?

'Alberto Costa is the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire.'

Mr Speaker, you will be pleased to hear that the First Minister and I

met and shared a platform in St Andrews, which,

of course, is the world home of golf.

Of course, on sport, on any matter, Scotland does best

when Scotland's two Governments work together.

Angus Robertson.

This is the first opportunity in Parliament to put on the record our

total revulsion at and condemnation of the terrorist atrocities

in Brussels, and our solidarity with everybody affected.

We join the Secretary of State for Scotland in that.

Mr Speaker, the promotion of the Ryder Cup in Scotland

was a huge achievement for the Scottish Government

and the then First Minister, Alex Salmond.

Today is the last sitting day of the Scottish Parliament.

So, given that he is standing down from Holyrood,

can I pay tribute to him in his remarkable tenure as an MSP

and First Minister, and to all other from all parties who are retiring?

Mr Speaker, does the Secretary of State agree that there's much

that can be built on following the Ryder Cup success?

And how does he plan to contribute towards that?

I am sure that that was a most courteous tribute,

but I hope the right honourable gentleman will not object

if I say that the first part of his question was way off the fairway.

Mr Speaker, I do agree that the securing of the Ryder Cup

to be held in Scotland was a very significant event.

Indeed, I can agree that the former First Minister of Scotland

has made a remarkable contribution to Scottish politics,

the detail on that we'll probably differ...differ on.

But I believe it's what...

what the former First Minister's done, many of the MSPs

who are standing down, who I also pay tribute to,

have done, and what we all need to do, is promote Scotland together,

and by promoting Scotland together,

that's when we get the best results for Scotland.

-Mr Angus Robertson.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I'll try to remain on the fairway.

Tourism is one of the most important industries that Scotland has,

and golf and whisky are key drivers for people visiting the country.

Does the Secretary of State welcome local initiatives to better promote

iconic Scottish regions and locations, such as Speyside?

What encouragement would he give to public

and private sector partners in making the most of

world-class potential as a tourism draw?

Mr Speaker, I am aware of the specific initiatives

to purs...to promote Speyside,

having recently visited the right honourable gentleman's

very picturesque constituency, and I do wish them well.

I believe these opportunities only reach their full potential

with significant public and private sector partners playing a full

part, and I look forward to hearing from the right honourable gentleman

about progress from Speyside and other regions of Scotland

making the most of that potential.

-Stuart Andrew.

-'And this is a question about

'the North Sea oil and gas industry.'

Government Ministers and officials had meetings

with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors,

including the oil and gas industry.

Last week, the Chancellor announced a further package of reforms

to support jobs and investment in the oil and gas sector.

This will help the industry respond to the challenging commercial

conditions caused by the steep fall in oil prices.

-Stuart Andrew.

-I'm grateful for that answer.

The excellent Budget package for the oil and gas industry

has certainly been welcomed by the industry.

Is this not another example showing

that when Scotland's two Governments work together

they can get the best outcome for Scotland in the United Kingdom,

that an independent Scotland could never have achieved?

I think my honourable friend makes an extremely good point.

And the fact is that the United Kingdom is able to absorb

the shocks of the volatile oil price,

and take steps to ensure that we have an oil and gas sector

as strong as it can be, given the very low oil prices.

-Kirsty Blackman.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Will the Minister and his front bench colleagues commit

to taking action to ensure that companies in the oil and gas sector

have got appropriate access to finance at this time?

Of course, as a Government, we do all we can

to support businesses the length and breadth of the United Kingdom

in all sectors.

The point I would make is that we are able to take action in this area

and support the oil and gas sector because we are a United Kingdom.

And had we been in the position where Scotland became independent,

it would face a very, very substantial...very, very substantial

loss of revenue and have great difficulties absorbing that.

Mina Ahmed-Sheikh.

'And this is a question about benefit changes in Scotland.'

I meet my right honourable friend the, Secretary of State

for Scotland, and counterpart Ministers in the Scottish Government

on a regular basis to discuss devolution of welfare programmes

to the Scottish Government.

-Mina Ahmed-Sheikh.

-I thank the Minister for her answer.

Last week's Budget saw one of the most iniquitous measures

proposed by this Government,

cutting PIP for 40,000 disabled people in Scotland.

I wonder when the Secretary of State for Scotland,

and Ministers in the office, first realised that this was the wrong thing to do?

Around the Cabinet table? During the Budget statement?

Or on Sunday, when the Prime Minister was forced to backtrack on it?

I would say to the honourable lady the Government's position

is clear when it comes to PIP and disability reforms,

as for being announced by my right honourable friend,

the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and, of course,

my right honourable friend, the Chancellor.

Stewart Malcolm McDonald.

Will the Secretary of State inform the House

and the people of Scotland when he realised these cuts were wrong,

or was he himself planning a resignation over the weekend?

As I've already said, Mr Speaker,

the Government's position has been abundantly clear.

And if he missed my right honourable friend's,

the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, statement on Monday,

I will be more than happy to share it with him again.

-Mr Ian Murray.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Can I start by echoing the comments of the Secretary of State

and the leader of the SNP, and pass on my heartfelt condolences

to all those involved in the events in Brussels.

Mr Speaker, we will defeat terrorism, but,

as the Secretary of State said, it will take solidarity and resolve.

Mr Speaker, last night, the House passed a Budget that was unprecedented.

It contained a £4.4 billion black hole after the Chancellor was

forced to reverse his decision on cutting Personal Independence Payments.

Their long-term economic plan

turning into a long-term economic scam.

These savage cuts, following the £1,500 a year reduction

in ESA and WRAG affect over 60,000 Scots.

They would have gone through had it not been

for the resignation of the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green.

So, can the Minister guarantee that,

when the Chancellor returns with revised public spending,

none of these cuts will fall on the disabled and most vulnerable?

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

And I thank the honourable gentleman for his comments. First of all,

I welcome his comments with regard to the tribute to my right

honourable friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green.

What I would say is that we've been very clear as a government

that we are not proceeding with our changes and we will not be seeking

an alternative offset in savings.

-Mr Ian Murray.

-It's clear from that answer,

and from the previous answer,

that the Government has absolutely no idea what to do now.

They are creating untold anxiety for the people in Scotland affected.

Let me remind the House what the former Secretary of State said -

he said that the cuts in this Budget risked dividing society,

that put pounds ahead of people, and were distinctly political

rather than in the national economic interest.

Does she agree with her former Cabinet colleague,

and many on her own side, that these cuts to disabled people

in Scotland are not defensible?

And does she want to take this opportunity to apologise,

on behalf of the Scottish Conservative Party, to the tens of

thousands of vulnerable and disabled Scots affected by this shambles?

I reiterate that the point that I've made already. The Government's position is fundamentally clear.

There will be no further changes to disability payments.

Secondly, he may have realised that last night the Budget

was passed by this House, that was right and proper.

Thirdly, he, of all people, should recognise that we,

as a government, are delivering on

the Smith Commission and devolving powers to the Scottish Government.

We look forward to working with the Scottish Government on

welfare reform and the delivery of employment and support

programmes for the benefit and the betterment of the Scottish people.

-Karen Lumley.

-Number four, Mr Speaker.

'And this is a question about the wider economy in Scotland.'

I regularly meet a wide range of business organisations

to discuss economic issues in Scotland.

As I've already alluded to, last week, I shared a platform

with the First Minister of Scotland at the annual forum

of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry,

where we discussed the important issue of productivity.

Given that businesses in Redditch

have welcomed the devolution deal for Birmingham,

what representations have business groups in Scotland made

to my right honourable friend about city deals there?

Mr Speaker, I've been particularly delighted

at the welcome from business groups in Scotland

for the announcement yesterday of the Inverness and Highland City Deal

which, in combination, the Scottish government, UK government

and Highland Council will deliver a package of £315 million

and I also particularly welcome the early day motion

from the member from Inverness and his colleagues

and I pay tribute to his part in bringing that deal about.

Liz McInnes.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The Secretary of State will be aware

that around 400,000 workers in Scotland

earn less than the living wage.

The government claims to be on the side of working people

so why have his Scottish Tory colleagues

repeatedly voted alongside the SNP government

to thwart Scottish Labour proposals to extend the living wage?

'And Liz McInnes is the Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton in Lancashire.'

I will resist the temptation, Mr Speaker,

to give the honourable lady a lecture

on the Scottish Labour Party's woes

and the fact that they have not been a credible opposition

to the SNP in Scotland.

This government is very, very clear on its proposals

to increase the wages of the poorest in society

by the introduction of the national living wage.

-John Stevenson.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Local government quite clearly has a role to play

in economic development.

Would the Minister agree that it is important the Scottish Parliament

also devolves power to local government

and they could look to England for a lead, such as elected mayors?

'John Stevenson is the Conservative MP for Carlisle.'

Mr Speaker, I very much take on board

what my honourable friend had to say

but, when I spoke with the First Minister of Scotland

at the SCDI forum last week,

I was particularly encouraged about what she had to say

about her support for city deals

and I hope that the city deals that we see emerging in Scotland

will not just include the financial packages,

but they will go on to include greater devolution within Scotland.

Dr Lisa Cameron.

Many thanks, Mr Speaker.

People in my constituency of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow

are extremely concerned by the perceived impact

on the local economy and local jobs

of the proposed closure of HMRC sites.

What impact assessment is being made of these closures

on our local economy and jobs?

Mr Speaker, initial proposals have been set out

in relation to the future shape of HMRC

and, of course, we repeatedly hear in this House

about wishes to make HMRC more efficient and more effective

but no steps will be taken in the honourable lady's constituency

or elsewhere without full consultation

with all those involved.

Stephen Gethins.

'And this is a question about Scotland and the European Union.'

As the First Minister and I both confirmed

when we shared a platform in St Andrews in his own constituency

last week, the official position of both the UK and Scottish governments

is that the UK is better off in a reformed EU.

-Stephen Gethins.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Firstly, can I associate myself with the remarks on Brussels

having spent many happy years in that wonderful city.

Secondly, Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State will be aware

of the benefits the EU membership has brought us,

such as paternal rights, holiday entitlement.

Does he agree with me that we should be focusing on those benefits

and no rerun of Project Fear?

I don't know if the honourable gentleman

saw the details of my speech yesterday

which set out the benefits to Scotland of remaining in the EU

and in which I set out a positive case

and I look forward to sharing platforms over the coming weeks

with him and his colleagues to make that case.

-Mr Philip Davies.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Given that we have a £62 billion a year trade deficit

with the European Union, does the Secretary of State think that,

if we were to leave the EU, the Prime Minister has the ability

to negotiate a free-trade deal with the European Union

or does he think that the Prime Minister hasn't got the ability

to negotiate a free-trade deal with the European Union?

'Philip Davies is the Conservative MP for Shipley in Yorkshire.'

Mr Speaker, my position is clear.

I believe that Scotland and the UK are better off in the EU

with the reformed arrangement

that the Prime Minister has already negotiated.

Douglas Chapman.

Mr Speaker, thank you.

Will my right honourable friend recognise that a recent survey

confirmed that the Scottish Government

is one of the most trusted governments in the whole of Europe?

Will he also look forward to the re-election of Nicola Sturgeon

and her team so we can continue being the most trusted government

in the whole of Europe beyond the 23rd of June?

Mr Speaker,

what I want to ensure is that Nicola Sturgeon and her team

are properly held to account in the Scottish Parliament

and that's why I'm encouraging

people to vote for Ruth Davidson and the Scottish Conservatives.

Clive Lewis.

Question number six, Mr Speaker.

'And this is a question about carbon capture and storage

'and its relationship to Peterhead in the north-east of Scotland.'

I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State

for Energy and Climate Change and ministers of the Scottish Government

on a number of important energy issues affecting Scotland,

most recently last night.

Clive Lewis.

The government's own advisers on energy and climate change

have warned that the cost of meeting our climate change targets

could, could, double

without Peterhead and without carbon capture and storage.

Seeing as the government are having a good run on U-turns

when it comes to saving George Osborne, the Chancellor,

perhaps they would also like to make a U-turn

when it comes to saving the planet.

Something I think people feel far more worthwhile.

Mr Speaker, we're looking carefully at all options

in developing our approach to CCS,

informed by Lord Oxburgh's CCS advisory group.

In parallel, the government continues to engage

with the CCS industry, including Shell,

who are leading the proposed Peterhead project.

Margaret Ferrier.

At the time of the announcement for the £1 billion of funding

for the carbon capture and storage scheme at Peterhead,

the Energy Secretary was forced to deny that it was a bribe

prior to the independence referendum.

Now the withdrawal

of this supposedly ring-fenced capital investment

exposes it as just that.

Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity today

to apologise to the people of Scotland?

Mr Speaker, if anybody should apologise to the people of Scotland,

it's the honourable lady and her friends

for suggesting that oil tomorrow

would have a price of 103 a barrel.

What is clear in relation to CCS

is that the costs are high and must come down.

We haven't ruled CCS out

and we're committed to working with the industry

to bring forward innovative ideas

for reducing the cost of this potentially important industry.

Wayne David.

Mr Speaker, I am reluctant to refer to the Budget

because we can't be absolutely sure what is in and what is out.

For example, the Chancellor's support for the oil and gas industry

is welcome, but it doesn't take us very far forward.

Unfortunately, it appears that the government here in London

is taking its cue from the government in Holyrood.

There, the SNP Government recently axed £10 million worth

of tax breaks for renewable firms

and they see themselves as a green administration.

Aren't we seeing two governments who are confused,

pursuing contradictory policies

and not knowing if they're coming or going?

Mr Speaker, I can point out one very distinct difference

between this Government and any Labour Scottish Government

or indeed SNP Scottish Government

and that is that we are not putting up the tax for ordinary people

as both those parties propose.

Mr Speaker, we've made it very clear that the door is not closed on CCS

but the costs must come down.

Nigel Huddleston.

'And this is a question about the financial implications of the Scotland Bill.'

The UK and Scottish Governments have met ten times

under the Joint Exchequer Committee since the election last year.

These discussions resulted last month in the agreement

of a new fiscal framework for the Scottish Government.

Agreement on the fiscal framework enables us to deliver

on the vow we made to the Scottish people

and delivers one of the most powerful and accountable

devolved parliaments in the world

with the economic and national security

that comes from being part of the United Kingdom.

-Nigel Huddleston.

-Thank you.

Does the Minister agree that it would be bad news for Scotland

if it became the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom

and does he agree with Ruth Davidson MSP

that Scottish taxpayers shouldn't have to pay any more in tax

than fellow Britons in England... Er...

England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The Scottish people have got

essentially three choices in their elections.

Two of those choices, whether it be voting Labour or voting SNP,

would involve paying more in income tax.

Mr Gavin Newlands.

Does the Secretary of State agree with me

that the Chancellor's reckless last-minute intervention

to tweak the fiscal framework after it had been agreed by the Treasury

and the Scottish government...

Was the Secretary of State of Scotland aware

about the Chancellor's brinkmanship intentions

that endangered the framework at the very last moment?

The answer is no.

An agreement has been reached.

We're pleased we've got that agreement

and now it is for the Scottish Government

to be held accountable by the Scottish people.

Deidre Brock.

Question number eight, Mr Speaker.

'And this is a question about the recent Budget.'

The Chancellor's delivered a Budget that delivers for Scotland.

This will be the last budget where a UK Chancellor

sets out income tax rates and thresholds for Scottish earners.

The changes to the income tax personal allowance

will benefit 2.6 million taxpayers in Scotland.

The Budget delivers on our plans to build a stronger economy

as part of the UK and put the next generation first.

-Deidre Brock.

-Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I congratulate the Minister on finding the Chancellor

to have those discussions.

Earlier this week, we thought he'd gone walkabout.

The budget had £1 billion worth of cuts to the Scottish budget

and £650 million worth of cuts to the English NHS.

Given the volte-face on social security cuts,

does he think he might persuade the Chancellor

to reverse Scotland's cuts

and put in a good word for the English NHS as well?

Can I just remind the House

that there were three asks coming from the SNP -

freezing whisky duty,

freezing fuel duty

and helping the oil and gas industry.

That's exactly what the Chancellor delivered.

Mr Alan Brown.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Can I ask the Secretary of State for Scotland,

did he discuss with the Chancellor the merits

of an £8.5 billion corporation tax cut,

a 6 billion giveaway on capital gains and inheritance tax

versus the proposed 4 billion cut to the disabled

and how that would affect the people in Scotland

or did he sit there and do what he's told yet again?

Can I remind the honourable gentleman

that there are 73,000 businesses in Scotland

that will benefit from the cut in corporation tax.

Is he saying he opposes that?

And I'm afraid that's all we've got time for at the moment.

Because of the Easter break,

the next Scottish Questions won't be until Wednesday the 11th of May,

by which time, of course, we will know the results

of the Holyrood elections

so there will be plenty for MPs to talk about.

But for now, from all of us here at Westminster, goodbye.