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Wednesday Volume 532 14 September 2011 No. 200 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 14 September 2011 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2011 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through The National Archives website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/parliamentary-licence-information.htm Enquiries to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 1017 14 SEPTEMBER 2011 1018 Ministry of Defence and the Home Secretary to ensure House of Commons that the emergency services and the military look carefully at what Remploy produces and, in particular, the quality Wednesday 14 September 2011 of the suits that the Dundee factory makes. David Mundell: The hon. Gentleman will know that The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock his constituency neighbour has already met the MOD, which has confirmed the high standard and quality of PRAYERS the work Remploy does in its Dundee factory. However, I urge the hon. Gentleman and everyone in Scotland with an interest to take part in the consultation. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ Co-op): I am sure that the Minister is aware that as well BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS as the Dundee factory there are seven other Remploy factories in Scotland. Does he accept that while his TRANSPORT FOR LONDON (SUPPLEMENTAL TOLL colleagues in the Government are talking about the PROVISIONS)BILL [LORDS] (BY ORDER) importance of manufacturing it would be crass and Second Reading opposed and deferred until Wednesday foolhardy to embark on the closure of factories that 12 October (Standing Order No. 20). provide goods and jobs, where public sector procurement could make the difference to ensure that they are viable in future? Will he make representations across Government to ensure that the jobs in those eight factories in Scotland Oral Answers to Questions are protected? David Mundell: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman SCOTLAND agrees that it is not acceptable that around 50% of disabled people are out of work and that those who are in work often do jobs that are far below their potential. The Secretary of State was asked— Closing the unemployment gap between disabled and non-disabled people could boost the overall economy Remploy by £13 billion, and the Government want to achieve that. We are undertaking a consultation; I urge him and 1. Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab): What recent everyone with an interest to take part in it. discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on Remploy’s operations in Energy Prices Scotland. [70960] 2. Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lab): When he last met representatives of the six (David Mundell): The Government are totally committed largest energy providers in Scotland. [70961] to supporting disabled people into employment, and the amount of money going into that is being protected. 5. Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): What recent A consultation event on the future strategy of Remploy representations he has received on increases in prices for is taking place in Glasgow today, and Remploy staff electricity and gas by the main energy suppliers in have been invited to attend. Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [70964] Jim McGovern: As job losses continue to increase in The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore): my constituency, can the Minister say whether he intends Energy price increases continue to be a matter of concern to engage with the Department for Work and Pensions to the public and the Government. I recently discussed to ensure that the Remploy jobs in Dundee are protected? the issue with the six largest energy providers in Scotland as well as with consumer groups. David Mundell: I can assure the hon. Gentleman, who is a doughty fighter for Remploy, that no decisions Jim Sheridan: I thank the Secretary of State for that have been made. I understand that he attended a meeting response, but he will no doubt be aware that the energy in the Scottish Parliament organised by Helen Eadie companies are now just a major cartel. I therefore MSP that undertook to submit a response to the suggest one of two options for him: either to give consultation on Remploy, and that response will be Ofgem the power to say no to the energy companies welcome. when they come forward with huge increases; or—even better—to return that power to this House. Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): The Dundee Remploy factory is in the constituency of the hon. Michael Moore: We share the hon. Gentleman’s desire Member for Dundee West (Jim McGovern), but many to be vigilant about everything that we see in the energy of my constituents work in it. The factory makes first-class market, which is why the work of Ofgem and my chemical and biological suits, which are required by the colleagues in the Department of Energy and Climate emergency services and the military. I urge the Minister Change is so important. The latest discussions with the to speak not just to the Department for Work and energy companies took place in the last couple of Pensions, however important that might be, but to the weeks, building on those that I had earlier in the year. 1019 Oral Answers14 SEPTEMBER 2011 Oral Answers 1020 The energy companies are in no doubt that the Government Michael Moore: People are acutely aware of the expect them to look carefully at all their pricing policies, problems caused by the weather last winter and the and I assure the hon. Gentleman that we will continue winter before that. That is why the measures to keep to be vigilant in that respect. resilience in the network are particularly important. Equally, however, we need to recognise that that adds Anas Sarwar: One hundred thousand pensioners in cost to consumers, which is why we are maintaining the Glasgow face cuts totalling £4 million to their winter cold weather payments. We will also have the winter fuel fuel allowance this year. At the same time, energy allowance and, through our new measures, we will companies are putting up their prices by up to 20%. enhance the support for vulnerable people across Scotland. Does the Secretary of State agree that no pensioner in the UK should have to choose between heating their Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): Many of home and putting food on the table? If so, what is he my constituents, particularly those on low incomes, are going to do about this? struggling with the large increases in their gas and electricity bills. I very much welcome the recent news Michael Moore: The hon. Gentleman is right to focus that Ofgem has brought in a firm of specialist auditors attention on some of the most vulnerable people in to help its investigation into whether the high energy society, both in Glasgow and elsewhere in Scotland. I prices are really justified, and I look forward to seeing would point out to him that the winter fuel allowance its report at the end of the year. Will the Secretary of will return to its previous level, as planned by the State and his colleagues ensure that Ofgem has all the previous Government, and that the cold weather necessary support to carry out a thorough investigation, payments—on which we spent over £50 million last and sufficient powers to sanction the big six, in particular, year—will continue at a higher level than before. I know if, as I expect, it finds that they have been acting that the hon. Gentleman studies these matters carefully, unfairly? and he will be aware that, through our warm home discount scheme—a statutory scheme that is replacing Michael Moore: Certainly, a feature of the discussions the previous voluntary scheme run by the energy that I have been having recently is that many of the companies—we will ensure that we get more than double energy companies recognise that they need to regain the amount of assistance to vulnerable households this the trust of the consumer concerning price rises and the winter and during the winters ahead. reasons that they have come about. In the next few weeks I will be bringing energy companies and consumer Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): I groups in Scotland together to look at these issues in hope that the Secretary of State will take the opportunity detail. I will ensure that the companies focus on the to talk to renewable energy providers about the fact that appropriate responses and that we take away whatever the only way of getting the electricity generated in work we need to do. that way into the grid is via overhead pylons. Given that undergrounding takes place in alpine countries, will he Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): Given that insist that that happens in the highlands and the north surveys conducted by Consumer Focus Scotland show of England as well? that nine out of 10 people who bought energy products Michael Moore: I understand the sensitivity of the on the doorstep would never do so again, does the issue that my hon. Friend raises; indeed, it occurs across Secretary of State agree that it is time for all energy the country. This matter must be carefully considered, providers in Scotland—not just four—to end the practice and the proposals for the transmission network must of cold calling? If so, when will the Government introduce take full account of environmental and other planning legislation to ensure that this foul practice ceases? considerations.

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