Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Hood and Michael Moore

Wednesday 11th September 2013 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that pensions are an issue that people across the country are very engaged in and concerned about, and that includes what an independent Scotland might mean for them. They have heard experts, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland—I declare an interest as a member—put out their opinion, but nothing is more certain than John Swinney’s opinion. The fact that he has said that there is a worry about this should tell us everything we need to know about the pensions issue.

[Mr Jim Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East) (Lab)]

Does the Secretary of State plan to have a word with his right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on making Government time available for the House to discuss the reports and analysis? If he cannot get the time, may I suggest that he allows the Scottish Grand Committee to have those debates?

[Michael Moore]

Without being impertinent to the hon. Gentleman, the old ones are the best. I know how keen he has been on the Scottish Grand Committee, although I think that he is a fairly lone voice in that regard. I agree that it is important that we have proper debates, in whatever forum, about all the issues. The Scottish Affairs Committee is working through the papers and taking evidence from me, my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State and others. The House can decide when we get a chance to debate that, which I hope we will.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Hood and Michael Moore

Wednesday 14th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

Nobody could ever doubt the hon. Gentleman’s confidence in, and commitment to, this issue, but what he says only serves to raise the question of why the Scottish Government are delaying holding the referendum on independence.

[Mr Jim Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East) (Lab)]

May I invite the Secretary of State to ignore the little Englanders behind him and the little Scotlanders behind me, and tell us that we are going to allow Scottish MPs to discuss Scotland in a Scottish Grand Committee? Will he reconvene that Committee as soon as possible?

[Michael Moore]

The hon. Gentleman frequently made that plea to the previous Government. We are, of course, keen to ensure that all Scottish matters continue to be debated in the appropriate way in this House, and we will ensure that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Hood and Michael Moore

Wednesday 27th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

The hon. Gentleman’s passionate case has been heard in a very busy Chamber, but I am concentrating on getting on with the continuation of Scottish devolution.

[Mr Jim Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State accept that this would be an excellent subject for discussion in the Scottish Grand Committee? Can he have a word with the Leader of the House, who is sitting two up from him, so that we can immediately initiate the next meeting of that Committee, which has not sat for many a year?