Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Carmichael Excerpts
Wednesday 26th June 2013

(11 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I would have thought that the hon. Lady would welcome the 10% increase in loans to first-time buyers in Scotland in the first quarter of 2012. The limit of the scheme reflects house prices across the United Kingdom, and I believe that it is fair and equitable.

Neil Carmichael Portrait Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)
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4. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on Scotland of the outcome of the recent negotiations on reform of the common agricultural policy.

Michael Moore Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)
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Negotiations have been making real progress in the last few hours. We aim to deliver a strong outcome for farmers in Scotland, securing full regionalisation of the common agricultural policy to take account of the particular circumstances of Scottish producers.

Neil Carmichael Portrait Neil Carmichael
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Notwithstanding the proven need for environmental schemes, does the Secretary of State agree that it is important to enable the farmers to make decisions about their own production mechanisms, so that they can improve production and provide more sustainable food for this country’s future?

Michael Moore Portrait Michael Moore
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I agree with my hon. Friend. I spoke to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the last couple of hours after his all-night negotiations in Luxembourg. He remains committed to a scheme that will ensure that farmers get as productive as possible. He wants a scheme that is regionalised for Scotland, and he is delivering that. We have an arrangement that, I hope, will be fair to farmers, fair to consumers and fair to taxpayers.