Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Wednesday 4th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

I acknowledge the hon. Lady’s work in the voluntary sector, and I believe that it has a very important role to play not just in getting people back to work but in many aspects of Scottish life. Let us remember that the Work programme is a step change in the provision of support for people to get back into work. We are determined to ensure that we tackle all the problems that have afflicted different parts of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

The invitation to tender document was absolutely explicit about the criteria, and they were the ones against which bids were measured. As far as the future involvement of the voluntary sector is concerned, the two preferred bidders have indicated that they fully intend to engage with the sector.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Sheila Gilmore, whose question has been grouped with Questions 1 and 9. She is not here.

[Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that to secure economic recovery, it is important to listen to the views of the job creators so that we minimise the number of people needing support from the Department for Work and Pensions in the first place?

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[David Mundell]

The hon. Gentleman would have some credibility in asking that question had he not repeatedly raised in the Chamber the issue of the costs of petrol and fuel oil in his constituency. It is clear that the Chancellor and the Chief Secretary got the balance right in the Budget between the taxation of the oil industry and the taxation of the motorist. If the hon. Gentleman wants to tell his constituents that they should be paying 6p a litre more on their fuel, he is welcome to do so.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Rosie Cooper to ask Question 4. She is not here.

[Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab)]

5. By what date he expects the level of unemployment in Scotland to begin to reduce.

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[David Mundell]

The Secretary of State and I are in regular contact with the banks operating in Scotland to ensure that Merlin goes forward as envisaged. We are also willing to take up individual cases such as the one that my hon. Friend mentions, which, if he refers it to us, we will refer directly to the banks in question. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There are far too many private conversations taking place in the Chamber. It is very discourteous, and I am sure that the House wishes to hear Mr Greg Hands.

[Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) (Con)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Will the Minister join me in welcoming the report by the Independent Commission on Banking, under Sir John Vickers, and will he remind the House who, in the last Parliament, awarded Sir Fred Goodwin a knighthood for services to banking?

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[Michael Moore]

I am afraid that I did not hear the hon. Gentleman’s question. I wonder whether he could repeat it.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman may repeat the question.

[Mr David]

I was asking the Secretary of State what meaningful discussions he had had with the Scottish Government on this vital issue.

[Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD)]

The Secretary of State may know that the Energy and Climate Change Committee has had meetings with investors in the renewables sector in which concerns have been raised that long-term capital investments are involved, and that if the price of carbon were to change in investors’ favour, future Governments might introduce a windfall tax to compensate electricity consumers. Will my right hon. Friend reinforce the point made in the debate on Treasury matters last night that the Government want to engage with the oil and gas industry to ensure that any concerns about the stability of the tax regime can be dealt with, so that we can have a constructive engagement with the aim of maximising investment in all energy futures for this country?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We need to have time for the answer.

[Michael Moore]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. I followed his contribution and that of my right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce) last night with great interest. As my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury pointed out, their thoughtful and constructive contribution to the debate was very worth while. We are properly engaged with the oil and gas sector, as we will be with the renewables sector, to ensure that we can put in place long-term sustainable tax regimes and other arrangements that will help to boost those important parts of the British economy.

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[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Minister for Children is under no obligation to behave like a child. It is not required.

[Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con)]

Q2. Does the Prime Minister agree with the comment of Lord Glasman, special adviser to the Leader of the Opposition, that the last Government lied to the British people about the extent of immigration?