23/11/2016 Scottish Questions

Very warm welcome to Westminster for November's Scottish questions. A

busy day, Philip Hammond delivering his Autumn Statement. The first one

since the Brexit vote five months ago. You will not be surprised if I

tell you that Scottish questioned also had and economic theme.

Devolution and independents also on the agenda. Proceedings began with a

very specific question about how fines being levied on banks could be

used to help Art galleries and museums in Scotland. Lots of good

causes across Scotland have put bids into the Treasury for a extra round

of allocations. We will need to be patient and wait for this

afternoon's Chancellor's Autumn Statement. Be patient. He knows

there is no greater cause in my constituency than that of Holmwood

house. Given that next year is the bicentenary of the architect's birth

and he knows how keen I am and the Thomson Society are on the promotion

of that internationally, will he try to make that happen? You should be

commended for trying to make Alexander Greek Thompson known. I

can assure the honourable gentleman, particular after my own visit to

Holmwood house and meeting with the Thomson Society that we will do all

we can to promote the bicentenary. The Chancellor of extractor suggests

that it could be used... Open casket since 2016? The UK Government have

done a great deal to work with East Ayrshire Council to ensure that

opencast restoration could proceed in that area following the collapse

of various companies involved in opencast mining. We continue that

dialogue with both the Scottish Government and east Ayrshire Council

to bring this to a satisfactory resolution. Scotland has wonderful

tourist attractions. Many in the border region. Same price to

Cumbria. The Secretary of State agree that there are real

opportunities to promote the border area, but it requires close

corporation between both sides and it is not just about finance. I am

very keen to promote cross-border working between Cumbria County

Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council. That is why I am a big

supporter of the so-called borderlands initiative to bring

those together and help significant economic development in that area.

Tourism would play a important part. We have made significant process to

transfer powers in the Scotland act of 2016 to the Scottish parliament.

A large number of provisions of the act are already in force and we will

continue to work with the Scottish Government for the smooth transition

of remaining powers. As the SNP Government has failed to introduce a

single piece of legislation in the last six months, the First Minister

prepares grandstanding across Europe in order to block Brexit. Isn't it

time she used the powers devolved to her in Scotland to start governing

rather than engaging in pointless photo opportunities? Mr Speaker, I

can update the honourable gentleman. This cottage Government have now

brought forward one piece of legislation since the Scottish

Parliament elections in May. We may be interested that this Government

has 19 pieces of legislation before this Parliament. Of course, I agree

with him and I think that the majority of people in Scotland who

want the First Minister and the Scottish Government to get on with

the day job of running Scotland and the devolved responsibilities and

not constantly talk about independence. The Scottish

Government has announced that new powers over benefits would be used

to end the misery being meted out on disabled Scots by the UK Government.

Our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to reduce the need for

assessments for personal independence payment and disability

living allowance, particularly for those with long-term illness. Bobby

Secretary of State take the opportunity to welcome this and

urges UK colleagues to follow suit? What I will welcome when I see it is

some detail behind these fine words. We have heard lots of fine words,

but to date on welfare we have absolutely no detail as to what the

Scottish Government plan to do. He believes that they are fine words.

Perhaps he will follow the initiative of the Scottish

Government. It is fair to say that the majority of welfare and economic

powers are not being devolved to the Scottish parliament. So, will the

Secretary of State confirm that he has no plans to devolve powers to

deal with Scottish legal partnerships and the risks that they

pose in the fight against global money-laundering and organised

crime? I've raised this with the Prime Minister, I have spoken to him

about this. Will he now tell the house what he and the UK Government

will now do about it? As he knows, the settlement in relation to the

Scotland axe 2016 was the outcome of the commission and the Scottish

legal partnerships was not part of that and will not be devolved. I do

take the issue extremely seriously. I commend him for the way in which

he has highlighted it in this house and elsewhere. I commend the Herald

newspaper for the way in which they have highlighted the issue.

Colleagues within the UK Government are looking at how we can best take

the situation forward to end the abuses which are evident. I was

concerned to read in the Sunday Times that the Scottish Government

are delaying the introduction of the devolved welfare powers. Can my

right honourable friend confirm that this is the case? All members will

have access to the minutes of the last meeting of the last joint

welfare group between myself and the Scottish Government ministers. Those

minutes confirm that the introduction of the welfare powers

in Scotland are indeed being delayed potentially until 2020. The transfer

of powers of these is over to the Scottish Government. The UK

Government will not allowed non-EU fishermen to come in. People would

be welcome and required, but this Government is threatening jobs and

industry in the outer Hebrides. Willie deserving about it or will

you do nothing as usual? I recognise the concerns. Others have expressed

them. There are specific rules about who can work on fishing boats, but

immigration does remain a reserved issue and the responsibility of the

Home Office. Always a pleasure to follow hurricane came Angus. Thank

you for your generous to allow us to stand here. I have been immersing

myself in Scottish legislation and Irn-Bru for the last week. Mr

Speaker, can I tell the Secretary of State that many of us on this site

would give our right TV to get the powers contained in 2016. Does he

feel like the reluctance of Scotland to use their powers is a lack of

ambition or modesty? I welcome the member here. The one question I

would have is who is next? Because we have had a selection of

individuals. What I would say to the honourable gentleman is that these

are very significant powers over tax and welfare. Although today in the

Autumn Statement here in this house is a very important event, on the

15th of December, we will see the Scottish budget for the first time.

The Scottish Government able to raise income tax at its will in

relation to the Scottish budget. That I think is a very significant

moment in terms of taking responsibility and accountability.

The Government will continue to provide an environment when S M Es

everywhere can thrive. Cutting red tape, keeping taxes low, tackling

late payment and improving access to finance. We are committed to making

sure the whole of the UK is a great place to start and grow a business.

Figures produced by the Scottish Government show that SME take up

more than... If there is any sort of setback and the Chancellor is

predicting one, these enterprises are hardest hit. Given their

importance, what is the Minister doing to reduce uncertainty and to

support their growth? The UK economy is strong in spite of uncertainty.

Scottish SMEs are currently benefiting from more than ?400

million of investment from the business bank. It will help

capitalise on new technologies and new export markets. Does the

Minister agree that the UK market is four times the size of the U market

in Scotland. It is very clear why businesses are saying loud and

clearly that they do not want talk of another independence referendum,

but instead wants stability to strengthen the economy. I do agree.

SMEs in Scotland trade four times as much in the single market of the

United Kingdom as they do in the European Union. Indeed, they trade

more with markets and the rest of the world than they do across the

entire EU. One of the key thing is that the Scottish Government and the

UK Government could do to take away uncertainty for the SMEs across

Scotland is to take off the table the second independence referendum.

Another thing that the Government could also do is to conclude the

Edinburgh city deal so that we want to make sure that we hear that in

the next few minutes. I share the enthusiasm for that city deal. But

the honourable gentleman, we will have to wait for another hour to

hear more detail on that. I could not agree with him more the

uncertainty in Scotland is coming far more from talk of another

referendum than it is from the EU referendum outcome. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. Yesterday it was announced that over 500 jobs in the tannic

side area of my constituency are under threat. Kwik-Fit insurance

have announced plans to axe their entire Scottish operation. If these

plans proceed it would be a devastating brooch at the local

community just before Christmas. -- devastating blow. What can you offer

to comfort these people in this tickled time? It will be a very

difficult time for the Kwik-Fit workforce and their families. At the

moment, particularly because the honourable gentleman mentions it is

in the art elite Mac run-up to Christmas. I understand Kwik-Fit are

consulting on closure by the end of March by the end of next year. I

hope they will be able to quickly move into alternative on climate.

The UK Government will assist with support with the Jobcentre plus

rapid reaction service, working also with North Lanarkshire Council to

help all those being made redundant. What is my honourable friend's

estimate in the number of jobs action involved in this process and

does that not demonstrate the importance to Scotland and the

economy of Scotland and staying in the United kingdom? Specifically to

SMEs which the honourable gentleman I'm sure intended to mention. The

employment rate is less in Scotland than in United Kingdom. Two free

benefit for this. On the 12th of October in response

to a question about the deal struck at Nissan the Secretary of State

said, and I quote, it whatever support is put in place for

businesses in the north-east will be put in place for Scotland. Is the

Secretary of State or minister willing to confirm this is still the

case and, if so, will she provide more detail of the. SMEs need to

know. My right honourable friend was right in what he said about the

Nissan deal. That level of support will be available to Scottish

businesses. As the detail, the honourable gentleman will have to

wait until the Autumn Statement for that. I am grateful, especially for

promotion to the Privy Council. Welcoming back commitment and I am

sure businesses of all sizes will be reassured, but in view of the

commitment there must've been an analysis of costs. Will the minister

informed the house what assessment has been made of the cost of

supports? My right honourable friend the Secretary of State will make an

assessment of costs and benefits of all such deals on an ongoing basis.

Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State for Scotland has had discussions

with me about the intra- UK budget allocations under the CAP and I've

had discussions with the National Farmers' Union Scotland, Scottish

members of Parliament and the Scottish Government's Cabinet

Secretary. The convergence uplift is worth 230 million euros. The UK

Government has withheld that money that should support Scotland's rural

economy. When will Scotland's man in the Cabinet do something about this?

Or will he continue to do nothing? I said to the honourable gentleman we

will give an update on the review of CAP allocations. The context has

changed following the decision to leave the EU and some argue the area

based payments as required have never suited Scotland well and NFU

Scotland have previously raised concerns about the level of payments

going to large landowners and argued we should instead direct support to

farmers and producers through livestock payments. We have an

opportunity to look at these issues and I will work with NFU Scotland

and officials. What we are seeking in Scottish questions is the

confirmation the Scottish Secretary of State backs Scottish farmers and

will get this promised money delivered. It is fantastic we have

the farming minister here but we have had so far is no detail, just

words. Can we have the detail? I disagree. As I make clear the

Secretary of State discusses this issue with me regularly. I am

passionate about Scotland and I discussed this with NFU Scotland

from January onwards and we are working on joint proposals and

agreements when it comes to post Brexit agricultural policy. Number

six, please. My right honourable friend has held 60 meetings with

well over 100 Scottish organisation since the referendum to hear their

views and the Business Secretary has met businesses in Aberdeen and the

Trade Minister has met business leaders in Edinburgh. Will my

honourable friend encouraged Scottish businesses to seize the

opportunities of our new relationship with Europe? And the

wider world. Including golf course my own constituency of Louth and

Horncastle? Will she urged the Scottish Government to support their

businesses, stop moaning about referenda and get on with

government. I thank my honourable friend and I am happy to give that

encouragement. The message the UK Government has heard is businesses

in Scotland want stability and not another divisive referendum. Talk of

independence is disrupted. People want economic stability that can

only be provided by Scotland remaining in the UK. Spit it out,

man, coming on this question, yours was similar. In July this Secretary

of State's party leader told the BBC, I want to stay in the single

market even if the consequence is maintaining free movement of labour.

Can the Secretary of State explain the U-turn? No U-turn on that

whatsoever, the UK Government will seek the best deal for all parts of

the UK and that will include limits on free movement and the best access

to and trade within the single market for British companies. The

creative industries in Scotland are one of the most successful areas of

Scottish business. There is concern about the regulatory regime that

off, preside over and its future relationship with the EU and what

that looks like. What discussions has she had concerning that

regulatory regime? My ministerial colleagues in the Department will

have had discussions and I will ask one of them to notify the honourable

member of the outcome. In the Northern Isles some of our most it

sporting -- important exporting distances are in the successful Food

and drinks sector but they say it is almost impossible to plan for the

future until they know what access they will have two EU markets. Will

the minister ensure their voices are heard in these negotiations as well

as the big boys in financial services and the automotive industry

is? The Darfur minister has regular meetings with the Scottish fishing

industry and agricultural sector. Across government there are

discussions with the Scottish whisky association about how they can

continue to build on the strengths of their exports beyond the EU as

well as within the single market. During a live televised debate two

days before Brexit, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said the EU

provides a level Plainfield for small businesses and if the UK left

the EU, the rest of the EU would impose tariffs and taxes. Can the

she advised the house how many of the 1.2 million jobs provided by

SMEs in Scotland are estimated to be at risk once these tariffs and taxes

coming? As I have said, the government is committed to gaining

the maximum access to the single market and trade within the single

market for all British companies, including Scottish SMEs. Order.

There is far too much noise in the chamber, a number of loud private

conversations. Let's have order for a senior and respected member of the

house of 33 years standing, Sir David Amis. Question number seven,

Mr Speaker. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for

Scotland held round tables with the Scottish food and drink industry and

in addition my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for

environment met with a range of food and drink businesses in a visit to

Scotland this month. With Scotch whiskey being the finest in the

world and a valuable export, would my honourable friend agree that as a

result of the UK deciding to leave the EU, there may be further export

opportunities? I very much agree with my honourable friend and the

truth is Scotch whiskey is a fantastic success story for this

country with overseas sales worth 3.9 billion in 2015. I attended an

event in Tokyo to promote great British drinks and it included

Scotch whiskey, which is popular in Japan. I wonder if the... I think

the honourable lady never fully realise the extent of her own

popularity on the government benches. Does the Secretary of State

for Scotland realise the value of exports from the rest of the UK to

Scotland are more than ?50 billion? That is more than Scotland exports

to the rest of the UK, so with the Secretary of State agree that

regardless of constitutional arrangements in the future, the

Scotland rest of UK trading relationship is an important one? I

think the fact is the honourable lady highlights underline the fact

the union that is vital to this country is the United Kingdom

because we have close trade. Number eight, Sir. I have regular meetings

with the Scottish Government ministers and last met the Cabinet

Secretary financing Constitution on the 21st of October. Both

governments are committed to providing all support to the

Scottish Fiscal Commission and Office for Budget Responsibility.

Does my right honourable friend agree that a core principle of

stable and accountable, but sure government must be government should

not bid its own forecasts but answer for its choices and consequences to

the people they govern? I absolutely agree and the transfer of income tax

and welfare powers to the Scottish Parliament does just that. No longer

will the SNP and Scottish Government simply be able to complain if they

genuinely have ideas, they will be able to do something about it and

the people of Scotland will understand what their tax

implications are. Exports from the services sector could be cut by 60%

of the UK is out of the single market. That would be a 2.3 billion

hit for Scotland and given that, can he tell us why his Conservative

colleagues at Holyrood voted against the Scottish Government motion to

protect Scotland's position. With reference to the work of the

independent Fiscal Commission. I am sure the independent Fiscal

Commission will have noted my colleagues, the Conservative group

in Holyrood, voted against the SNP motion because we have no idea where

the SNPs stand in relation to the UK's future relationship with the

EU. I am afraid that is all we have time for. That is the final Scottish

Questions of 2016, because of the Christmas break we will not be back

again for two months, when we will be back on the 18th of January. Join

us then. From all of us at Westminster, goodbye.