Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Macleod Excerpts

Wednesday 16th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I shall most certainly take into account the issues that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has raised. He will, however, be aware that the Calman commission has recommended that the regulation of air guns be transferred to the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament, and the Government are committed to doing that in the Bill that we will bring forward in the autumn.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

6. What steps he plans to take to ensure a stable economic environment for businesses in Scotland.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

7. What steps he plans to take to ensure a stable economic environment for businesses in Scotland.

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

Tackling the budget deficit and creating a fairer and more balanced economy will ensure a stable economic environment for businesses in Scotland.

[Mary Macleod]

Under the last Government, the Scotland Office’s attempts to help to maintain a strong economic environment in Scotland had something of a credibility problem. What is my right hon. Friend doing to dispel the myth promoted by his predecessors that the level of Government borrowing is somehow unconnected to the level of interest rates and taxation?

[Michael Moore]

The hon. Lady makes an important point. We must not lose sight of the fact that the deficit left behind by the previous Government was £155,000 million. We have to establish our credibility not just with the people of Britain, but with the international financial markets. If we do not, we will see higher interest charges that will bear down on the level of public services that we can afford and affect the pockets of everyone in Scotland, both businesses and individuals. We have to tackle that urgently, and I am determined that we will do so.