Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Mel Stride Excerpts
Wednesday 1st December 2010

(13 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Moore Portrait Michael Moore
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Since this Government came to office, they have taken decisive action to tackle the issues that we inherited—a record deficit of £155,000 million. We have pulled Britain back from the danger zone, we are setting out the conditions for sustainable economic growth, and that is the right way for this country.

Mel Stride Portrait Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con)
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12. What recent estimate he has made of levels of economic growth and inward investment in Scotland.

Michael Moore Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)
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The latest official statistics show strong economic growth in Scotland in the second quarter of this year. We are determined to ensure that Scotland will benefit as the Government tackle the deficit to secure growth, and provide the confidence that businesses and individuals need to invest.

Mel Stride Portrait Mel Stride
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Can my right hon. Friend tell the House whether those figures support the claim made by the last Labour Secretary of State for Scotland that the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) would be a “kamikaze” Prime Minister who would “plunge” Scotland “back into recession”?

Michael Moore Portrait Michael Moore
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Funnily enough, I completely disagree with that assessment. I am pleased to say that not only has the Prime Minister led the Government’s efforts to get us away from the danger zone that the economy was in, but he has set out a constitutional path for Scotland that will enhance its economic growth and keep it within the United Kingdom.