Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Evennett Excerpts
Wednesday 18th April 2012

(12 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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The funding formula for Scotland is calculated on the basis of a basket of taxes raised by the United Kingdom Government. Scots would be much worse off if fuel duty were 10p higher, as it would have been if Labour were in power.

David Evennett Portrait Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)
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Does my hon. Friend agree that it is vital to maintain the Union in the interests of both England and Scotland, but that the funding formula should be fair to both countries?

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I agree absolutely with my hon. Friend’s sentiments, but as he and many other Members are aware, this Government inherited the worst deficit in peacetime history from the Labour Government, and stabilising our nation’s finances must be the focus of their efforts.