Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 6th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

11. What steps the Government are taking to increase exports of Scotch whisky.

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

I was delighted to host the ever-popular Scotch Whisky Association reception at Dover House last night. The UK Government work closely with the association, individual distilleries and companies across a range of issues from market promotion to market access.

[Mark Menzies]

The Chancellor’s Budget announcement that he would freeze duty on Scotch whisky is a sign of support for one of Scotland’s great industries. As one of the Prime Minister’s trade envoys, I have recently been in Colombia, Peru and Chile banging the drum for Scotch whisky; does my right hon. Friend agree that the Scotch whisky industry has an enormous opportunity to boost trade with growing markets as we look to build a truly global Britain?

[David Mundell]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend that there are huge opportunities for Scotch whisky as we leave the EU, particularly in South America, and I commend him for his activities. I also commend Diageo for the 20th anniversary of the creation of the company on 17 December.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 12th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

We have made it absolutely clear that we will respect that desire for the programmes to proceed on a voluntary basis. What I think the people of Scotland will want to know is what the Scottish Government intend to do in relation to people who do not volunteer to be part of the programmes.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

8. What discussions the Government have had with oil and gas companies on support for North sea industry.

Scotland Bill

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Monday 9th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

I agree with the Secretary of State that it is right that we trust the Scottish Parliament on this important issue. It has shown itself to be progressive on issues such as same-sex marriage and has important legislative powers on health and the judicial system, so I urge him to carry on with this measure and ensure that the Scottish Parliament is given the accountability it needs.

[David Mundell]

I think I have made it clear that simply devolving the power does not mean that there will be a change to the position under the 1967 Act. I am sure we will hear views on that, and we will of course listen to them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 14th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I am somewhat surprised at the hon. Lady taking the nationalist line on the IFS figures. I completely reject those figures about prospective increases in child poverty in Scotland. This Government are not complacent, but what our policies have achieved are a reduction in unemployment, an increase in employment and wage increases outstripping inflation. Work is the best way out of poverty, and that is what this Government’s policy is.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that with the number of workless households at its lowest level for a generation across the UK as a whole, the best way to help tackle child poverty is to get people back into work?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 18th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

The hon. Gentleman is simply wrong. The October 2013 adult minimum wage rate is around 27% higher in real terms compared with the consumer prices index and about 15% higher in real terms compared with the retail prices index than it was on its introduction in 1999.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that the best way to tackle low pay in Scotland is to get the economy growing and to create more job opportunities?

[David Mundell]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and I hope that Opposition Members will welcome today’s announcement that employment is up and unemployment is down in Scotland. We are not complacent, but we are on the right track.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 26th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

We have looked at the regulations, which were brought in by the previous Government. We very much respect the work of the Scottish Affairs Committee and if it finds that the current legislation is not working, we will of course look at the matter.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

2. What steps the Government have taken to fulfil their pledge to campaign to keep Scotland as part of the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 12th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

11. What involvement his Department had with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games; and if he will make a statement.

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

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer the Secretary of State gave to a previous question.

[Mark Menzies]

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that after a summer of sporting success, the last thing that the people of this country want is to see Team GB torn apart?

[David Mundell]

I could not agree more. The success of Team GB at both the Olympics and the Paralympics has been celebrated as much in Scotland as in any other part of the United Kingdom.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 22nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

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

Mr Speaker, you will be aware that the Chairman of the Work and Pensions Committee, the hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Dame Anne Begg), who is a regular attendee at Scotland questions, has suffered a fall. I am sure that we all wish her well in her recovery.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are in contact with Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions on a range of issues concerning welfare reform.

[Mark Menzies]

Is it not clear that if the nationalist Government in Scotland had control of welfare policy, there would be no benefits cap in Scotland, despite widespread public support for it?

[David Mundell]

What is clear is that the Scottish National party is making a proposition for independence without explaining to people how benefits at current levels would be paid in future, or where the money would come from.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 9th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I pay tribute to the staff of the Scotland Office. With a small number of staff, we have pursued the Scotland Bill, a very significant measure, through this House and into the other place. The Scotland Office has a key role to play as we move forward in preserving Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

4. What recent assessment he has made of the benefits to Scotland of the Union; and if he will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 22nd June 2011 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

The right hon. and learned Gentleman makes an extremely good point. As I said in my initial response, it seems incredible that a group set up to consider this very complicated issue is not going to take evidence or receive submissions. I am pleased that the Advocate-General has in any event made his information available to the group, so that might give us some confidence in the report it produces.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

10. What steps he is taking to promote Scotland as a destination for international inward investment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Menzies and David Mundell

Wednesday 27th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

The hon. Lady raises an important point. Her question is one of those posed by Lord Browne’s report, and it will need to be addressed through debate and consultation. We intend to publish a White Paper in the winter leading, subject to parliamentary time, to a higher education Bill in autumn 2011.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

10. What discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on whether to hold elections to the Scottish Parliament on the same day as the proposed UK general election in 2015.

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

The Government have made it clear that they will work with all the devolved Administrations and legislatures to consider the issues raised by the coincidence of elections in 2015.

[Mark Menzies]

Does the Minister agree that when we get to the 2015 elections the new equal-sized boundaries will ensure a far fairer result than those held under the current set-up?

[David Mundell]

Yes, I agree with my hon. Friend, and I am sure that he will welcome, as I do, the protection of important constituencies in Scotland such as Orkney and Shetland, and the Western Isles.