Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Sheridan and David Mundell

Wednesday 25th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab)]

3. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on practical steps to encourage employers to pay the living wage.

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

I have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on a range of employment issues. The UK Government support businesses that choose to pay the living wage, where that is affordable and does not cost jobs.

[Jim Sheridan]

I thank the Minister for that response, which seems somewhat aspirational rather than ambitious. He will be aware that the Scottish Government at Holyrood refused to support the call for a living wage that was put forward by Labour in Scotland. Will he follow the example set by my local Labour-controlled Renfrewshire council, which has not only introduced a living wage, but used the procurement process to encourage its suppliers to pay the living wage?

[David Mundell]

There are excellent examples of local authorities taking forward initiatives with the living wage, and South Lanarkshire council is one. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman heard the speech that my colleague, Ruth Davidson, made to the Scottish Conservative conference on Friday in which she called for help and support for businesses that promoted the living wage. I hope Scottish Labour and the Scottish Government will support her in that regard.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Sheridan and David Mundell

Wednesday 24th April 2013 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

What I accept is that if we were to have separation, there would be a great deal of uncertainty, and not just for the operators of the Caledonian sleeper service. As we saw yesterday, for example, those promoting independence have no idea what currency would be used in an independent Scotland, which will be a significant factor in creating additional uncertainty.

[Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab)]

3. What recent discussions he has had with the organisers of the Ryder cup in Scotland regarding their voluntary charging policy.

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

I am very pleased that the Ryder cup is coming to Scotland in 2014. We will work with the Scottish Government and the organisers to make it a success.

[Jim Sheridan]

I thank the Minister for that response. Does he agree that having to pay to volunteer is a contradiction in terms, and that that debars many people from participating in a sport such as golf? Will he make further representations to the Ryder cup’s organisers that they should follow the lead of Glasgow city council by creating genuine volunteers?

[David Mundell]

I understand the hon. Gentleman’s concerns, which I will take forward with EventScotland and Shona Robison, the Scottish Government Minister with responsibility for the Ryder cup.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Sheridan and David Mundell

Wednesday 12th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

As the hon. Lady will know, although there are changes to the management arrangements of coastguard operation centres, the same local volunteers, lifeboats and helicopters will remain in the coastal waters of Scotland. There will be no change, and it is wrong to suggest otherwise.

[Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab)]

8. How many publicly funded projects in Scotland have been undertaken by firms which engage in blacklisting against trade union members.

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

Information on this is not held centrally. Regulations were introduced in 2010 to outlaw trade union blacklisting in the UK. We welcome the Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry into blacklisting in employment, and encourage all hon. Members and interested parties to feed their views into the inquiry.

[Jim Sheridan]

I thank the Minister for his response. I, too, commend the Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry. If there is tangible evidence that Government contracts are being awarded to companies that are engaging in blacklisting trade unionists, will those contracts be reviewed?

[David Mundell]

The hon. Gentleman is a strong campaigner on this issue. As I said in my original answer, I suggest he put that view to the Scottish Affairs Committee so it can form part of its report. We will certainly take its report very seriously.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Sheridan and David Mundell

Wednesday 14th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman agrees that it is not acceptable that around 50% of disabled people are out of work and that those who are in work often do jobs that are far below their potential. Closing the unemployment gap between disabled and non-disabled people could boost the overall economy by £13 billion, and the Government want to achieve that. We are undertaking a consultation; I urge him and everyone with an interest to take part in it.

[Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab)]

2. When he last met representatives of the six largest energy providers in Scotland.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim Sheridan and David Mundell

Wednesday 16th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the support available for manufacturing in Scotland.

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

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made it a priority to speak to a number of key individuals in the business sector in Scotland to get an update on the main issues affecting them.

[Jim Sheridan]

The Minister will be aware of the Dyson report commissioned by the Conservative party in March. It contained many important ideas, such as building esteem for science, engineering, and research and development, and investing in high-tech start-ups. It also highlighted the importance of projects such as those for nuclear and offshore wind power, and, from a Scottish perspective, high-speed rail. Will the coalition Government be implementing any of those proposals, and if so, when?

[David Mundell]

The hon. Gentleman was a strong supporter of Lord Myners and will know therefore that the latter said:

“The Government cannot create jobs. The Government can create an environment that is conducive to the creation of jobs”.—[Official Report, House of Lords, 8 June 2010; Vol. 719, c. 625.]

That is the priority of this coalition Government.