Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Moore and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 26th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the most recent figures on employment in Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

The most recent labour statistics show that between February and April 2013 employment in Scotland has increased by 47,000, while unemployment has fallen by 6,000 and the number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants by 900. The Government will continue to take the necessary steps to build a stronger economy in a fairer society.

[Alun Cairns]

Unemployment in Scotland has fallen for seven months in a row. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that could be put at risk should Scotland vote to become independent?

[Michael Moore]

I believe that Scotland as part of the United Kingdom has the most appropriate opportunities, and that not only its businesses but its consumers benefit from the great strength of the UK economy. They have more choice and more security as part of the United Kingdom, and when times get tough—as we saw at the time of the banking crisis—the United Kingdom is there to help out. That is a good deal, and we should stick with it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Moore and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 13th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)]

1. What recent assessment he has made of the contribution of the nuclear power industry to the Scottish economy.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

There is currently just over 2 GW of installed and operational nuclear capacity in Scotland, split between Torness and Hunterston B. In 2011, 33% of electricity generated in Scotland came from these two nuclear power stations.

[Alun Cairns]

Is the Secretary of State aware that Wylfa and Anglesey are about to benefit from a massive investment in a new nuclear power station? Does he share my disappointment in the attitude shown by the Scottish Government, who reject any new nuclear investment?

[Michael Moore]

Clearly, there is a significant contribution to our current energy mix from nuclear. My hon. Friend will be aware that planning on these matters is devolved to Scotland. It is a matter, rightly, for the Scottish Parliament to determine. For my part, I am delighted that we are seeing an increase in the proportion of renewables in our energy mix as part of a sustainable, affordable energy supply in the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Moore and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 21st November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to promote businesses in Scotland around the world.

[Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)]

12. What steps his Department is taking to promote businesses in Scotland around the world.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

The Government are committed to promoting United Kingdom businesses, including in Scotland, around the world. Brian Wilson, the former Trade Minister, is currently carrying out a review of Scottish exporting and has been appointed a UK business ambassador with special focus on Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alun Cairns]

What action is the Secretary of State taking to ensure there is no conflict between Scottish Development International and UK Trade & Investment when they use public money to try to attract companies either side of the border by offering bigger carrots?

[Michael Moore]

My hon. Friend underlines the importance of trade for the Scottish and UK economies. Scotland’s exports are worth some £22 billion, but to put things in perspective, that is half the value of what we sell into England, Wales and the rest of the UK. SDI has 21 offices in 13 countries, whereas UKTI has 162 offices in 96 countries, and 270 Foreign and Commonwealth Office consuls operate in 170 countries. That network offers a great opportunity to Scottish business to get the best out of the United Kingdom. It is important that we work together, and it is clear that we are stronger together and would be weaker apart.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Moore and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 18th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

The Government published their response on 4 April. The responses to the consultation gave strong endorsement to a referendum involving a single, clear question on independence, overseen by the Electoral Commission, using the same franchise as that used to elect the Members of the Scottish Parliament, and held sooner rather than later.

[Alun Cairns]

Does my right hon. Friend agree with the consensus established by the responses to the consultation, which is that people do not want to wait 1,000 days to exercise their votes in a referendum?

[Michael Moore]

This is a fundamentally important decision, the most important that we as Scots will make in our lifetimes, and the longer it is delayed, the greater the uncertainty will be. The sooner we can get on with resolving the process and the question, the better.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Moore and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 22nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

The First Minister and I met on Monday 13 February to discuss a referendum on independence. The Prime Minister, the First Minister and I had a further meeting on Thursday 16 February, when we discussed the need for any referendum to be legal, fair and decisive. It is in everyone’s interests that both of Scotland’s Governments work together and I look forward to meeting the First Minister again in due course.

[Alun Cairns]

The Scottish Government are the most resolute defenders of the Barnett formula, arguably against the interests of the other nations of the United Kingdom. Does the Secretary of State therefore think that if the people of Scotland vote yes in a referendum on independence, the Barnett formula should apply to the nation’s debt?

[Michael Moore]

I do not envisage that Scotland will become independent from the United Kingdom. I think we are stronger together and weaker apart. The hon. Gentleman touches on the fundamental issue of sorting out what the basis of that independence might look like, and the Scottish National party has so far singularly failed to answer questions on that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Moore and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 22nd June 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

“The Plan for Growth” published in the March Budget set out a programme of reforms to create the right conditions for private sector-led growth. This month the Government launched the next stage of the growth review with the central purpose of creating the right conditions for businesses to be established, to invest, to grow and to create jobs.

[Alun Cairns]

At a time when the Treasury is bringing about stability to the banking sector and banking regulation, does my right hon. Friend agree that the SNP’s drive for further independence in Scotland could destabilise Scotland’s financial markets?

[Michael Moore]

There is no question but that uncertainty over the nature, number and timing of the questions that will be asked about independence will be no good for the Scottish economy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Moore and Alun Cairns

Wednesday 27th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

I have discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including the relationship between the UK Government and the Scottish Government under the devolution settlement. We will introduce a Scotland Bill in the near future, which will implement our proposals for strengthening and deepening the devolution settlement for Scotland.

[Alun Cairns]

Does the Secretary of State believe that the public in Scotland recognise the need to tackle the budget deficit? If so, will he condemn the Scottish Executive for manufacturing disagreements with the Westminster Government and encourage them to work constructively with the Scotland Office on tackling the budget deficit?

[Michael Moore]

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that the settlement for Scotland was better than the Scottish Government anticipated, and it should now be for them to get on with setting out their plans for not only the next year, but the next four years.