Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Davidson Excerpts

Wednesday 19th March 2014 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op)]

1. When he plans to respond to the fifth report from the Scottish Affairs Committee on the Crown Estate, HC 889.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Carmichael)]

I welcome the Committee’s continued interest in the Crown Estate’s activities in Scotland and the publication of its latest report. I am working on the UK Government response with colleagues in HM Treasury and we will publish it as soon as possible.

[Mr Davidson]

Does the Secretary of State agree that this is indeed a fine report, which should be accepted in full by the Government? In particular, does he accept the proposal that the devolution of powers from London should be not simply to the black hole that is Edinburgh, but to the local communities and authorities of the highlands and islands of Scotland?

[Mr Carmichael]

I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman because, under his stewardship, the Scottish Affairs Committee has become one of the most productive Committees in the House. He knows that I have a particular interest in this issue. He highlights one of the real challenges facing us. People in our island and coastal communities have seen power and influence systematically stripped away by the Scottish Government since they took power in 2007. I do not see any particular attraction in replacing a centralised system from London with a centralised system in Edinburgh.