Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Patrick Grady

Wednesday 12th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

It is self-evident that, because the devolution settlements within the United Kingdom are predicated on the basis that the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union, those devolution settlements will be changed by the United Kingdom leaving the EU. Those will be matters that will be subject to debate and discussion.

[Patrick Grady]

I am not entirely certain that the Secretary of State answered that question. Will he categorically rule out powers being re-reserved to this Parliament as a result of the decision to leave the European Union?

[David Mundell]

What I can say is that no powers which are currently exercised by the Scottish Parliament will be re-reserved to this Parliament as a result of the United Kingdom leaving the EU.

Scotland’s Fiscal Framework

Debate between David Mundell and Patrick Grady

Wednesday 24th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I acknowledge that people have those feelings. A number of people on both sides of the House have raised issues about the Barnett formula. That is their job as representatives of different parts of the United Kingdom. My position is clear: the Barnett formula is good for Scotland, and this Government are keeping the Barnett formula.

[Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP)]

Can the Secretary of State name some of the devolved assemblies around the world that will now be less powerful than the Scottish Parliament?

[David Mundell]

I can produce a list and send it to the hon. Gentleman. I am not focused on other assemblies around the world. I am focused on the Scottish Parliament and making it a powerhouse Parliament with the powers that make a difference in Scotland. That is the state of the debate. The hon. Gentleman’s constituents will not want to hear about Parliaments in South America and other parts of the world: they will want to hear about what his party intends to do on income tax and welfare.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Patrick Grady

Wednesday 10th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I could not have been clearer—we are retaining child benefit and keeping to the promises made in the election campaign. We are also devolving significant responsibility for welfare to the Scottish Parliament, so that if it wishes to make alternative decisions, it will have the capacity to do so, provided that it can pay for them.

[Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP)]

8. What discussions he plans to have with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding for the Scottish Government and the next Budget.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)]

On Monday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury met Scotland’s Deputy First Minister to discuss the new fiscal framework. While the Barnett formula will continue as promised, the Scottish Government will be less reliant on the block grant.

[Patrick Grady]

The SNP manifesto proposed an alternative to austerity—0.5% public spending increases a year. Does the Secretary of State accept that that means that his Government’s cuts are ideological, not inevitable, and that it is in fact possible for the Government to increase public spending by £93 billion a year to invest in the economy and public services?

[David Mundell]

What is now clear is that the SNP wants to put up taxes in Scotland. Its next Scottish Parliament manifesto needs to tell the people of Scotland by how much.