Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on HELMS Green Deal mis-selling; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware that there are a large number of appeal cases, currently with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, regarding the activities of HELMS under the Green Deal. Under the Green Deal Framework Regulations, the Secretary of State for BEIS has the power to reduce or cancel loans where there has been a breach of the relevant rules, and she is satisfied that the consumer has suffered, or is likely to suffer, a substantive loss. I have been assured that BEIS is working to reach conclusions on these cases as soon as possible.