Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Smith and Michael Moore

Wednesday 18th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

6. What assessment his Department has made of the implications for the currency used in Scotland of a vote in favour of independence for Scotland.

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

We are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the United Kingdom in any referendum. It is the Scottish Government who are proposing independence and they must answer for the implications of their proposals, including on currency matters.

[Julian Smith]

Is it not the case that the weight of legal opinion suggests that an independent Scotland would become an European Union accession state and would therefore be obliged to join the euro?

[Michael Moore]

The Scottish National party is changing its position on what currency it wishes to adopt and how it would go about this. There is no doubt that the SNP needs to answer some hard questions on this matter and resolve, for us all, what an independent Scotland would look like. I think that Scotland is better off in the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Smith and Michael Moore

Wednesday 1st December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on measures to promote economic growth in Scotland.

[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?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Smith and Michael Moore

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with CBI Scotland on the condition of the Scottish economy.

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

I have had productive discussions with CBI Scotland and others on the Scottish economy, as has my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary, and I plan to meet them again in the near future. Our plan to cut the record budget deficit that this Government inherited is the key to ensuring a sustained economic recovery.

[Julian Smith]

In the years to come, it must be the private sector that creates the growth and jobs in Scotland; it is not realistic to have an ever-increasing public sector there. Does the Secretary of State agree that for my constituents in Skipton and Ripon to be funding an ever-expanding Scottish state is an unfair situation?

[Michael Moore]

Across the United Kingdom we inherited a huge deficit in the public finances, which we have to tackle. If we do not, it will not be in just the private sector but the public sector where difficulties will arise.