here - United Kingdom Parliament
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803 Oral Answers<br />
1 DECEMBER 2010<br />
Oral Answers<br />
804<br />
Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): I welcome<br />
the Minister’s acceptance that the correspondence could<br />
have been handled better on the cancellation of the<br />
Glasgow contract, because as a result of letters sent out<br />
by UKBA, vulnerable people, including many families,<br />
were left in a state of extreme anxiety about w<strong>here</strong> they<br />
would be living. Can he reassure us that lessons will be<br />
learned from this, so that such mistakes are not repeated<br />
in future?<br />
David Mundell: Indeed, I can give the hon. Lady that<br />
assurance. As soon as these issues came to light, the<br />
Secretary of State for Scotland was in contact with<br />
the Immigration Minister. T<strong>here</strong> is a recognition that<br />
the correspondence was inappropriate, and a number of<br />
measures have been taken. For example, everyone affected<br />
will have at least 14 days’ notice if they have to move.<br />
Progress has been made. The initial letter was regrettable,<br />
but the situation will be better in future.<br />
HIV<br />
3. David Cairns (Inverclyde) (Lab): What recent<br />
discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State<br />
for Health and (b) Scottish Executive on strategies to<br />
reduce the incidence of HIV in the UK. [26709]<br />
The <strong>Parliament</strong>ary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland<br />
(David Mundell): I am in contact with the Secretary of<br />
State for Health and the Scottish Government on a<br />
range of matters. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the<br />
Government published their public health White Paper<br />
yesterday. As that is taken forward, close attention will<br />
be paid to the lessons that can be learned from the<br />
Scottish Government HIV action plan.<br />
David Cairns: I am grateful to the Minister for that<br />
answer. On world AIDS day, it is worth reminding<br />
ourselves of the rather obvious fact that viruses such as<br />
HIV do not respect borders. Will he reassure me that as<br />
the Government seek to draw up their sexual health and<br />
HIV strategy they will work closely with all the devolved<br />
Administrations to ensure a co<strong>here</strong>nt and joined-up<br />
approach? That is the only way that we will slow the<br />
spread of the virus, which has already claimed far too<br />
many lives.<br />
David Mundell: It is indeed appropriate that the hon.<br />
Gentleman has asked his question on world AIDS day.<br />
He is to be commended for his work as chairman of the<br />
all-party group on HIV and AIDS and for his work on<br />
the “Halve It” campaign. The Secretary of State will<br />
shortly meet the Minister for Public Health in Scotland,<br />
Shona Robison, and I shall ensure that this matter is on<br />
the agenda.<br />
Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con): Will my<br />
right hon. Friend give an undertaking to discuss with<br />
the Scottish Government the findings from the eight<br />
pilot projects that the Department of Health is running<br />
to extend HIV testing in primary care hospitals and<br />
community centres?<br />
David Mundell: I am happy to give that undertaking.<br />
As the hon. Member for Inverclyde (David Cairns)<br />
intimated, HIV and AIDS know no borders and the<br />
rest of the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Kingdom</strong> can learn from what has<br />
happened in Scotland, just as Scotland can learn from<br />
what is happening elsew<strong>here</strong> in the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Kingdom</strong>.<br />
Economy<br />
4. Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con): What<br />
recent discussions he has had with the First Minister<br />
on the relationship between the UK Government and<br />
Scottish Executive with regard to economic policy<br />
under the devolution settlement. [26710]<br />
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore):<br />
I have had a number of exchanges with the First Minister<br />
in recent weeks. Yesterday, the Scotland Bill was introduced<br />
in this House. If enacted, the Bill will strengthen devolution<br />
by giving the Scottish <strong>Parliament</strong> a financial stake in<br />
the Scottish economy while maintaining the economic<br />
strength we all desire from being in the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Kingdom</strong>.<br />
Mr Amess: Now that we know that the Scottish<br />
nationalist party—[HON. MEMBERS: “National party.”]<br />
It put Holyrood’s tax-raising powers out of commission<br />
for two years without telling the Scottish <strong>Parliament</strong>.<br />
Does the Secretary of State agree that the Scottish<br />
Government should be made more accountable for<br />
their financial management to such an extent that t<strong>here</strong><br />
should be a closer relationship between economic growth<br />
and how much money is spent?<br />
Michael Moore: My hon. Friend makes some interesting<br />
observations. I can confirm that the Scotland Bill, if<br />
enacted, will provide exactly what he asks for. It will<br />
empower the Scottish <strong>Parliament</strong>, increase its financial<br />
accountability and secure Scotland’s place in the <strong>United</strong><br />
<strong>Kingdom</strong>.<br />
Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): W<strong>here</strong> the Scotland<br />
Bill makes a real difference to the lives of people in<br />
Scotland and to the Scottish economy, it will have the<br />
support of the SNP. During the passage of the legislation<br />
in this House, will the Secretary of State and his Tory<br />
colleagues accept improvements that will deliver additional<br />
powers that will give the Scottish economy a competitive<br />
advantage?<br />
Michael Moore: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s<br />
initial comments. As he is aware, the Bill introduced<br />
yesterday and the Command Paper that goes with it are<br />
the result of the work not just of the Conservative party<br />
and the Liberal Democrats but of the Labour party and<br />
others across Scotland. I hope that we will get proper<br />
engagement. I am confident that the measures in the<br />
Bill get the balance right for Scotland. They are right<br />
for this time and I am sure that they will pass the test of<br />
time.<br />
Angus Robertson: The Secretary of State knows that<br />
many of Scotland’s leading businessmen and women<br />
issued a statement this week, in which they said that<br />
t<strong>here</strong> must be<br />
“real economic levers to help sustain recovery and grow the<br />
economy.”<br />
Will the Secretary of State and his Tory colleagues<br />
reconsider their plans and consider improvements to<br />
the legislation, such as devolving corporation tax to<br />
help business grow?<br />
Michael Moore: I listen carefully to a range of opinion<br />
from business and elsew<strong>here</strong> about the future of<br />
Scotland’s—