Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Freer Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd July 2014 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

1. What assessment he has made of the potential for international inward investment in Scotland after 2014.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Carmichael)]

As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has an impressive track record of attracting international inward investment, which recent figures have put at its highest level for 16 years. Scotland has strong potential to build on that record as part of the UK, the No. 1 location for Europe-bound foreign investment.

[Mike Freer]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that inward investment is boosted by Scotland being part of a single market and having a single currency?

[Mr Carmichael]

Indeed; I do agree with my hon. Friend. The people of Scotland very much understand that access to the pound sterling as our currency and access to that larger UK market benefit them, and they value them, especially the business community. We know that, because that is why the nationalists are constantly telling us that even in independence we would still be able to keep those things. They are wrong; it is cynical; and as we saw from yesterday’s poll, nobody is really being fooled by it.

Constitutional Law

Mike Freer Excerpts

Tuesday 15th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

It is important that people in all parts of the United Kingdom make it clear to all of us living in Scotland that they value the Union and the United Kingdom. I respect the fact that there is a strong and rich diaspora of Scots all over the United Kingdom and, indeed, all over the world. Having looked carefully at the options for the franchise, we took a straightforward decision—we agreed wholeheartedly with the Scottish Government’s view on this—that the same franchise should apply to the referendum as applied to the Scottish Parliament elections that gave the Scottish National party its mandate in that Parliament. That keeps it simple, straightforward and fair, and that is the basis on which we will proceed.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that it is an anomaly that a Frenchman living in Edinburgh can vote on Scottish independence when a Scot living in London cannot do so?

[Michael Moore]

I think that that is a reasonably easily understood anomaly. The French person, the EU national, who has made a commitment to living in Scotland is entitled to vote in a referendum there, just as they would be in the Scottish parliamentary elections. It is important that we show consistency on that front. I accept, however, that there is a range of opinion on this matter, and my hon. Friend has made his own point clearly.

On the issue of 16 and 17-year-olds participating in the referendum, respondents to our consultation were divided. I will return to that issue later.

Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Freer Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

5. What meetings Ministers in his Department have had with Ministers in the Department for Works and Pensions to discuss the effect on Scotland of the proposed benefits cap.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

12. What meetings Ministers in his Department have had with Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions to discuss the effect on Scotland of the proposed benefits cap.

--- Later in debate ---

[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.

[Mike Freer]

With the average income in Scotland being £419 a week, does the Minister not agree that a benefit cap of £500 a week is a reasonable and sensible level?

[David Mundell]

I do agree that that is a reasonable and fair measure, and constituents in constituencies such as mine cannot understand how the Labour party and the nationalists can promote the idea that the benefit cap should be higher than £35,000.

Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Freer Excerpts

Wednesday 9th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

As I said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith), we want to discuss these issues. Representing a big rural area without gas grid access, I recognise that this is an important matter, and I am happy to discuss it with the hon. Gentleman too.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

6. What assessment his Department has made of the report of Electoral Commission Scotland on the 2011 elections to the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

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

I welcome the Electoral Commission’s finding that the Scottish Parliament election was well administered and voter focused.

[Mike Freer]

Given that the Scottish Government did not complain about the Electoral Commission being involved in the elections, does my right hon. Friend think it odd that they now want to set up their own independent commission on the referendum?

Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Freer Excerpts

Wednesday 9th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I agree with my Friend’s analysis. Like many people in Scotland, I recognise that the Welfare Reform Bill provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to radically overhaul the benefits and welfare system.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

Can the Minister indicate to the House how many low-paid Scots will be lifted out of income tax, and how many families in Scotland will benefit from the reform to tax credits that has been announced?

[David Mundell]

I will seek out that information for my hon. Friend and write to him.

Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Freer Excerpts

Wednesday 26th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con)]

7. What assessment he has made of recent trends in business confidence in Scotland.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

9. What assessment he has made of trends in business confidence in Scotland.

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

Returning the UK to sustainable economic growth is the Government’s overriding priority. The Government are doing everything they can to create the conditions that enable all businesses to be successful and create more jobs.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Moore]

We certainly believe that the private sector has a central role to play in returning us to sustainable growth in this country, whether in Scotland or the rest of the United Kingdom. The Scottish Parliament debates the Scottish Government’s budget this afternoon and no doubt some of these points will be made in that debate.

[Mike Freer]

Is the Secretary of State worried that the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce a business surcharge will damage business confidence?

[Michael Moore]

The Scottish Government have received serious representations on their proposals, and I am confident that those will be debated extensively this afternoon.

Constitutional Law

Mike Freer Excerpts

Wednesday 24th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

The hon. Gentleman’s comments will no doubt have been heard by the Electoral Commission and those who are going to produce the information material about the elections to be held next May that will be delivered to every household in Scotland.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

To be helpful to the Minister, I would like to point out that in London we had the mayoral elections as well as the European elections, which have very different electorates. If the Minister—

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order. I am sure that the Minister is very grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s help, but let us stick to Scotland.