24/04/2013 Scottish Questions

Westminster for Scottish Questions. It was delayed for a week after the

funeral last week of Margaret Thatcher. There has been discussion

over the last few days about the currency that an independent

Scotland might use. That the result of a Treasury paper which has set

the two governments and Scottish nationalists and their opponents at

odds. More discussion also here about the coalition's welfare

reforms, the impact on Scotland. This is how proceedings got under

way. Questions to the Secretary of the common wealth office and the

David Livingstone 200 partnership on the programme to mark the

anniversary of the birth of Dr David Livingstone. We hosted a

commemoration at Dover House in the presence of the president of Malawi.

I am sure the whole House will be pleased to hear what the Scottish

Office is doing and it is fitting that especially to those of us who

remember the childhood trips to Blantyre, birthplace of David living

stone, that tributes should be paid in Parliament. Although a minority

of Scots want to put artificial barriers around Scotland, the

majority of Scots believe in the pioneering enterprising spirit of

David Livingstone and want Scotland to play its full part in the United

Kingdom and indeed in the world in general I couldn't agree more with

her, David Livingstone was a great Scot and a Great Briton. He had an

outward look on the world and shows why Scotland and Britain are better

together. Could I place on record my thanks to the Scottish Office and

the Foreign Office for ensuring that the president was able to visit

Scotland to mark the start of those celebrations. Could I draw the

House's attention to the wide range of events happening and encourage as

many people as possible to come to Blantyre and visit the centre there

and take part in the sell braces. -- celebrations. I thank the member for

noting the work that the UK Government and the Scottish

Government has done. He too is to be commended, for the way he has played

his part in promoting the David Livingstone anniversary and he is

correct there are a number of events continuing and those who wish should

take the opportunity to take part. welcome the sell wragss --

celebrations which have been announced. Would he agree there can

no finer commemoration of this missionary, scientist, statesman and

explorer than his gravestone in Westminster Abbey, which simply says

David Livingstone. Indeed it is a very poignant memorial and it was

particularly MEPable to e -- memorable to see members of his

family lay a wreath on that gravestone along with the president.

I am grateful. I presume that Dr Livingstone was a great

educationalists. Who believed in fact in education. I wonder what his

right honourable friend has done to set up the schools committees he

promised some months ago. honourable gentleman shouldn't be

speculating about what Mr Livingstone would have said. Because

the fact is he didn't. He wasn't in a position to do so. I think we had

million to secure the Caledonian sleeper service. Responsibility for

the project is with the Scottish Government. We look forward to

seeing some progress. I am pleased that the Government has invested in

the future of the Caledonian sleeper, which is a vital transport

link for business and tourism alike. However does my honourable friend

share my disappointment that the Scottish Government has not shown

the same degree of urgency in updprading this link? -- upgrading.

Yes, he might be aware since the spending review, the Scottish

Government has received over a billion pound in additional funding.

The only shovelling they seem capable of doing disdiging the sort

of -- is digging the sort of hole they did yesterday over the

currency. The SNP Government has invefsed �130 million in the sleeper

service. -- invested. If the honourable gentleman wants to be

quiet he can. It is a win/win for all concerned. In Spain the linking

of Madrid and self-has benefitted the country. When is the UK

Government go to see England keep pace with Scottish prosperity after

independence. The Government is committed to ensuring connectivity

within the United Kingdom just as it is committed to ensuring that we

stray a United Kingdom. -- stay a United Kingdom. I wonder if my

honourable friend has given consideration to the fact that the

sheer service would be -- sleeper service would be better served if

there was electrification of East Coast Main Line between ebb and

Aberdeen. Which would pass through my constituency and provide a better

service for the stations around there. The honourable gentleman is

always keen to promote his constituency. And rightly so. But he

will be aware this is one of the many projects the SNP, when in

opposition said they would deliver but now it doesn't seem to be on the

agenda any more. Would the minister accept that the Caledonian sleeper

is a vital link between the Ministry of Defence in London and the

shipyards on the Clyde? Does he accept that the trade on the

Caledonian sleeper will reduce in the event that we have separation

and the Clyde shipyards close? have separation there would be a

great deal of uncertainty, not just for the operators of sleeper

service, as we saw, those promoting independence have no idea what

currency would be used in an independent Scotland. That will be a

significant factor in creating uncertainty. A question about the

Ryder Cup. I am pleased that the Ryder Cup is coming to Scotland. We

will work with the Scottish Government and the organisers to

make it a success. I thank the minister for that response. Does he

agree having to pay to volunteer is a contradiction in terms and bars

many people from taking part in sport like golf. Will he make

representations to the organisers of the Ryder Cup to follow the lead by

Glasgow council and generate genuine volunteers? I do understand the

honourable gentleman's concerns. And I will take them forward with Event

Scotland and the minister in the Scottish Government with

responsibility for the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup is a unique

tournamentment none of the -- tournament, because none of the

competitors compete for cash. It seems perverse that volunteers will

be asked to pay for that service. Can I ask minister to add to to his

representations when he meets the organisers? I will add the

honourable gentleman's concerns to those of the member for Paisley.

question about welfare reforms. will answer questions four and five

together. The Secretary of State and I are in contact with colleagues in

the Treasury and the department for work and pensions for matters

erelating -- relating to welfare reform in Scotland. We know over

100,000 Scots will be affected by his bedroom tax. A tax which has

appalled civic Scotland. It is p oez pod -- opposed in every area in

Scotland. Does he agree this is becoming his Government's Poll Tax.

He will not be surprised that what I would say is that my honourable

friend and I have been going around Scotland talking to councils and

different groups who are, who have no interest in this and are

concerned about different aspects, but what people are clear about is

the shared values that created the welfare state are things we want to

keep within the United Kingdom and not become an independent country.

family in my constituency with children aged two, three, four and

five hit by the bedroom tax were yesterday advised by the Government

benches to take in a lodger. Does the Secretary of State think that

was good advice? I cannot comment on constituency details the lady has

brought to the floor. Nor the full extent of the exchange from

yesterday. What I said to the honourable gentleman a few moments

ago is that we need to look carefully at how this is being

implemented. I would be happy to hear further details on that

particular case. The Secretary of State will be aware the largest part

of the welfare budget goes on pensions. And the state pension,

pension credit and related pensioner benefits. What discussions has he

had with the Scottish Government about how pensions would work in a

separate Scotland? Well the honourable gentleman raises a hugely

important issue. Which of course is going to be one of the big questions

we ask in Scotland as we build up to the referendum. I think the security

and the scale of the United Kingdom allows us to have to solidarity of

common provision across the United Kingdom and we have the means to pay

for that. Even in difficult economic times, we have not seen or heard

anything from the SNP or their supporters about how they would do

it in an independent Scotland. is a link between welfare and the

use of food banks. #i6 raised -- I have raised food banks a number of

times in this place. And they all seem to go unanswered. The Secretary

of State will have seen the report today revealing the number of people

using food banks in Scotland has increased from �5,000, from under

�5,000 to -five thousand to over 14,000. My honourable friend and I

have been, we have met with people at food bank and I met with the

Executive chairman of the trussle trust and as he would point out,

there are a range of reasons going back many years why people need food

banks. We continue to look at this carefully. I do not want people to

go to food banks to get support. I am happy to continue that dialogue

This budget will help households in Scotland against a challenging

economic background. The budget has set out a range of measures.

Ministers will be aware of our report today that three times as

many women as men have suffered long-term unemployment in the last

two years. Hardly surprising given that budget decisions. Is it

tolerable for women to bear the brunt of his government's failed

economic policy? I do not accept that analysis, but I do commend the

honourable lady. We needed to continue looking at this issue. We

have introduced proposals on child care and low income families. We

have taken over 200,000 families Unemployment figures in Scotland

have not been helped by the devastating use of the closure of a

number of opencast coal sites. 348 people have lost their jobs in our

area. I am sure that the Minister will want to do everything possible

to ensure that a buyer is encouraged to come in. Would he

make representations about the access charges and the increasing

due to come in in 2016 which may put Scottish companies in the coal

sector at a disadvantage Quetta mark first of all, may I join her

and her concern about the future of the families who will be affected

by this. She has been working tirelessly on this issue. She

raises a particular issue which or I will be happy to discuss further.

I want to congratulate the Government for cancelling Labour's

planned feel a duty increase -- planned fuel duty increase. It

means that fuel will be cheaper on the islands. A Labour government

would have destroyed the Argyll and Bute to economy. The Labour Party

did not care and wanted to increase fuel. 18 pence a litre. That is how

much are measures have saved Ireland communities. 13p on the

mainland. A huge help to hard- pressed families. Many jobs in

Scotland depend on investment in the oil and gas industry. Does the

Secretary of State recognise the important role the budget has

played? My honourable friend makes a powerful case for the oil and gas

industry. It is important to recognise the their input to the

decisions about decommissioning. It gives good news for investments now

and for decades to come. International Monetary Fund has cut

the UK growth forecast and the questioned the government's

austerity programme. Why should anyone believe what the Chancellor

says on at the budget, currency or the economy? I do not think anyone

will listen to the right honourable gentleman when it comes to currency.

The best option is to stay part of the UK. The Secretary of State did

not answer the question. The UK is the 4th most unequal country in the

developed world. The number of people using food banks has doubled.

Citizens Advice Scotland says it that this increase illustrates of

the devastating impact of this government's policy. Why should the

people in Scotland put off by the government that they did not elect

introducing these damaging the decisions. We are absolutely

determined to ensure we get their economy on a strong footing, that

we invest in our future and support families. This government promised

they would get people back to work. How much has a long-term

unemployment reduced in Scotland? The honourable lady did not

actually welcome the reduction in unemployment announced last week.

We have some very long term deep- seated problems. We inherited them

from her government and we continue to tackle them. The number of

people out of work in Scotland for two years has 517 increased during

his time in office. -- has increased during his time and

offers. Cannot the secretary of state opera these people out of

work anything, or is he content to be a Tory puppet? The honourable

lady knows that we are working hard to make sure that we provide

support for people who are in very difficult circumstances. She just

picks one statistic which is important and ignores the rest of

it. 70,000 more people are in work in Scotland. We are determined to

get the economy back from the brink. On 15th October 1920 12, the UK and

Scottish government signed an agreement to ensure that a

referendum can take place. It is for the Scottish Parliament to

determine the franchise for the referendum. Would it be completely

are Regis were the Scottish Parliament to decide to use the

local election franchise and allow the possibility of the future make-

up of the United Kingdom have to be decided by -- of the lighter

kingdom to be decided by non-UK nationals? My honourable friend is

incorrect. The number of EU nationals able to vote is less than

2% of the total. Those at that defend our country should be

allowed to take part in deciding the future of our country. There is

a service declaration which allows Armed Forces Day with a link to

Scotland to register at an address within Scotland. It will also be

for the Scottish Parliament if they so choose to put additional

measures in place. Yet another difficulty with the people that

will be able to bought in this referendum will be the 16 and 17-

year-olds? Have discussions been held to a their severe problems at

that will entail? -- it to the severe problems. They have brought

forward a draft bill for debate m. The Scottish Parliament and that is

their appropriate place for those issues to be considered.

I would be very happy to visit Corby where, as a Scot, I would

feel very much at home with plentiful supplies of the dairy

record and Irn Bru. Can I thank the Minister for that reply? Corby

people are very proud of their Scottish connections. But they are

worried that if the break-up of the union goes through, they will not

be able to use the currency? Corbett is a great example of the

British family of nations and we should celebrate it. I would heard

his constituents to tell their friends and families in Scotland to

board no in the referendum. -- to vote. What discussions are being

held to Kate the East Coast line him public ownership? -- 2 pay. --

We have regular discussions on cap reform. On 27th March, will be

facilitated a meeting between my Right Honourable Friend and NFU

Scotland on these issues. The UK Government is pressing hard for and

you cab wish it takes account of the range of interests across the

United Kingdom. Has he considered the impact of screening Bat and

will there be matched funding? -- the 80. This is one of the many

issues that has been discussed. We continued to argue for Scotland's

interests in these matters. Does that the minister support the

efforts of death are to end it direct payments and can he tell us

what effect he thinks that would have on Scottish farming?

honourable member is misrepresented the situation. Scotland will have

flexibility to determine in his own arrangements in relation to this

reform. With the rising food prices and growing food poverty, has he

made any representations with colleagues about the need to grow

more food and Secure food growth in Scotland? In his constituency,

there are very strong views that we should grow more of our own food