here - United Kingdom Parliament

807 Oral Answers
1 DECEMBER 2010
Oral Answers
808
Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): The Secretary
of State will know that only yesterday the Scotch Whisky
Association said that the Treasury’s review on alcohol
tax was a missed opportunity. Will he confirm to the
House today that he will make specific representations
to his Treasury colleagues for fair taxation of all alcoholic
drinks based on their alcohol content only, and no
other spurious issues?
Michael Moore: The hon. Gentleman has a distinguished
record of following these issues very carefully. He will
have made representations, as has the industry. The
review was concluded a few weeks ago and will report in
due course. As I said in answer to the earlier question, I
will continue to discuss these issues with the Treasury.
Commonwealth Games
7. Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) (Con): What
assessment he has made of the lessons learned from the
2010 Delhi Commonwealth games which could inform
his Department’s contribution to the 2014 Glasgow
Commonwealth games. [26713]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
(David Mundell): The Commonwealth Games Federation
is currently leading a formal review of the Delhi games.
The Scottish Government and Glasgow 2014 games
partners are participating in that review, and will be
seeking to identify the key messages to inform planning
for the 2014 games. The Scotland Office will do whatever
we can to contribute to a successful games in 2014.
Greg Hands: The Minister will know that one of
Delhi’s troubles was in attracting the top athletes. What
will the UK Government do to ensure that the best
from across the Commonwealth come to Glasgow in
2014?
David Mundell: As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate,
most of the responsibilities in respect of the 2014
Commonwealth games are devolved and rest with the
organising committee. I have already met the leader of
Glasgow city council and assured him that the UK
Government will do everything that we can to support a
successful games.
Economy
8. Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): What
recent discussions he has had with ministerial
colleagues on measures to promote economic growth in
Scotland. [26714]
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore):
I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues
on this issue. In the spending review, the UK Government
took decisive action to reduce the inherited record
deficit. Along with the June Budget, the spending review has
set the conditions to promote a balanced economy and
sustainable economic growth for all parts of the UK.
Julian Smith: The Scottish Government used to be
very keen on the economic growth achieved by Ireland.
Will the Secretary of State assure me that, as well as
taking measures to promote growth, he will ensure that
the First Minister has fiscal responsibility at the top of
his agenda?
Michael Moore: All of us are very concerned about
what has happened to Ireland in recent months, and our
Government have set out some very important steps
that we are taking to contribute to the recovery in
Ireland and other parts of Europe. We need to ensure
Scotland’s place within the stability of the United Kingdom.
The Scotland Bill, given its First Reading in this House
yesterday, will ensure that we give Scotland the tools to
achieve that, and I hope that it will be an Act in due
course.
Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): For
every job vacancy in Lanarkshire there are 10 people on
jobseeker’s allowance. Indeed, in Motherwell and Wishaw,
that figure rises to 12 or 13. What priority will the
Secretary of State give to the Lanarkshire economy to
ensure that it gets back on track as quickly as possible?
[Interruption.]
Mr Speaker: Order. There are far too many private
conversations of a noisy character taking place in the
Chamber. I want to hear the Secretary of State.
Michael Moore: I recognise the challenges faced by
Lanarkshire and other parts of the Scottish economy
and by those who are looking for a job. As the hon.
Gentleman will be aware, I visited Lanarkshire recently
and met people who are working their way into
employment, and students at Motherwell college. We
have to keep focused, and we have to put in place the
right conditions to ensure that we achieve a sustainable
recovery across the country. I believe that the measures
we are taking will ensure that that happens.
Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
(LD): The Secretary of State will know from his visit to
the north-east of Scotland just how important the
region is, not just to the Scottish economy, but to the
UK economy as a whole. We received a welcome boost
this week with the announcement of the extension of
the runway at Aberdeen airport and improvement in
that transport link, but will he emphasise to the Scottish
Government that all transport links in the north-east
need to be improved? They do not need new levers to
improve Scotland’s economy; they need to use the existing
levers, as well.
Michael Moore: My hon. Friend makes an important
point. Our Government here in the United Kingdom
are committed to ensuring that we invest in infrastructure
that will support growth, and we have produced other
support for business that is geared towards growth, but
I take his points about the Scottish Government. His
points will have been heard, and I am sure that they will
form the basis of further discussions between myself
and Scottish Ministers.
VAT
9. Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): What
recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of
the Exchequer on the effect on average household
outgoings in Scotland of raising the rate of value
added tax to 20%. [26715]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
(David Mundell): The VAT rise is part of the Government’s
credible plan to tackle the largest deficit in peacetime
history. Difficult decisions are necessary, but as a