Oral Answers to Questions

Andrea Leadsom Excerpts

Wednesday 21st November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

I hope that I can reassure the hon. Gentleman and help him to calm down. As the Electoral Commissioner John McCormick said on television just the other weekend,

“For every referendum that has taken place, the Electoral Commission’s advice and question has been accepted.”

As for the issue of local government referendums, none has taken place. We have already said that we have reflected on the Electoral Commission’s advice, and I shall be presenting proposals on that question very shortly.

[Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to promote businesses in Scotland around the world.

[Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)]

12. What steps his Department is taking to promote businesses in Scotland around the world.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

The Government are committed to promoting United Kingdom businesses, including in Scotland, around the world. Brian Wilson, the former Trade Minister, is currently carrying out a review of Scottish exporting and has been appointed a UK business ambassador with special focus on Scotland.

[Andrea Leadsom]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that, as well as promoting business, we need to support businesses at this time when access to finance is so difficult? What steps is he taking to work with the devolved Government to ensure that there are prompt payments in the supply chain, and in particular that the public sector pays private sector suppliers in a timely fashion?

[Michael Moore]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. The Government are committed to ensuring that private sector suppliers are paid on time so they can sustain their businesses, and I am happy to work with the Scottish Government, or anybody else in the public sector, to ensure that everybody adheres to best practice.