Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Guy Opperman

Wednesday 26th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

1. If he will give guidance to the Smith commission on ensuring that its proposals do not hamper cross-border trade with the north of England.

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

At the outset of this process, Lord Smith set out a number of guiding principles underpinning cross-party talks. They included the principle that the proposals should strengthen Scottish devolution and the Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom, and that they should not cause detriment to the UK as a whole or to any of its constituent parts.

[Guy Opperman]

My constituents campaigned very strongly so that we remained “better together”, and whether that related to farmers, business, trade or joint air passenger duty, it continues. Does the Minister welcome the borderlands initiative between local authorities on either side of the border?

[David Mundell]

I very much welcome the borderlands initiative, which is an excellent example of cross-border working. Councils are working together across the Scottish and English borders to maximise economic and cultural opportunities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Guy Opperman

Wednesday 15th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I absolutely agree with the hon. Lady. I hope that discussion about the relationship between Scotland’s two Governments will be part of the outcome of the Smith commission’s work; if not, I am sure it will form part of future debate in this House and elsewhere.

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

Surely the key question for the Committee to take to the Scottish National party Government is that no means no?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Guy Opperman

Wednesday 7th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman about the serious loss to the Scottish economy of closing the door on the nuclear industry, which has brought so much benefit to Scotland, and I pay tribute to him for being such a champion of that cause. He is right that energy costs will go up in an independent Scotland, as set out in the Government’s analysis on energy.

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

Both in Northumberland and in Scotland people are setting up oil-buying clubs to deal with the problem of off-grid energy. Does the Minister agree that the best way to combat energy problems and price rises in off-grid circumstances is to copy this good measure and spread it out across the country?

[David Mundell]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Oil clubs are developing in Scotland and the Government are keen to promote and support them. I commend him for highlighting this issue.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Guy Opperman

Wednesday 19th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

On the spare room subsidy, the hon. Gentleman is aware that the Government have introduced significant contributions in relation to discretionary housing payment. He knows as well that the Scottish Government have significant powers to contribute to any mitigation that they think is necessary.

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

Surely the best way to address child poverty is by increasing employment and changing education and skills so that young people in Scotland and England have the skills and aspirations to work their way out of child poverty.

[David Mundell]

My hon. Friend is exactly right, which is why I would have thought that even Opposition Members would welcome the fact that employment in Scotland has increased by 15,000 over the quarter, and that the Scots employment rate rose by 0.3%.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Guy Opperman

Wednesday 18th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

7. What steps are being taken by the Government and the Office of Fair Trading to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland.

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

The Secretary of State chaired the first ever annual summit in Scotland on fuel poverty, bringing together the heads of the big six energy companies and Scottish consumer groups. That led to suppliers providing information to improve the application of key policies in Scotland, such as the warm home discount scheme. I am convening a follow-up meeting soon to review progress.

[Guy Opperman]

Does the Minister agree that the problem of a lack of competition in the availability and provision of heating oil in the Scottish border region needs addressing urgently?

[David Mundell]

I represent a large rural constituency in the Scottish borders, so I certainly share my hon. Friend’s concerns, although I understand that in his constituency there are some innovative initiatives whereby communities are coming together to purchase heating oil and are therefore able to negotiate better prices with suppliers.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Guy Opperman

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

12. What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and the Scottish Executive on upgrading the A1 in Scotland.

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

The provision of road transport in Scotland is a devolved matter. Transport Scotland is responsible for the management and maintenance of the trunk road network in Scotland, including the A1.

[Guy Opperman]

For 13 years we have had an A1 that is largely single-laned, holding back economic development in south-east Scotland and Northumberland. Will its upgrade be considered in the comprehensive spending review?

[David Mundell]

I advise my hon. Friend that the Scottish Government have no proposals for any major schemes on the A1 trunk road in Scotland, but I will speak to colleagues in the Department for Transport about the need to liaise on cross-border routes. [Interruption.]