Wednesday Volume 519 1 December 2010 No. 82 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 1 December 2010 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2010 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 801 1 DECEMBER 2010 802 and the fact that this will cause extra difficulty for House of Commons people, so I am sure he will welcome the fact that we are maintaining the cold weather payments and the winter Wednesday 1 December 2010 fuel allowance. I am certainly happy to discuss ideas of getting together with the different energy companies to The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock make sure that they are properly focused on the needs of their customers. PRAYERS Asylum Seekers [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] 2. Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): What discussions he has had with the UK Border Agency on the cancellation of its contract with Glasgow city Oral Answers to Questions council to provide services to asylum seekers. [26708] 5. Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): SCOTLAND What recent discussions he has had with the UK Border Agency on the welfare of asylum seekers in The Secretary of State was asked— Scotland. [26711] Energy The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell): The Secretary of State and I are in 1. John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab): regular contact with the Home Office on matters relating What (a) recent meetings he has had and (b) meetings to asylum seekers. I understand that the UK Border he plans to have with representatives of Scottish Power Agency is working closely with support organisations in to discuss the energy industry in Scotland. [26707] Glasgow to ensure that there is minimum disruption to those affected by the termination of UKBA’s housing The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore): contract with Glasgow city council. I have regular meetings with the energy industry, including with Scottish Power, and will continue to do so, given the sector’s importance to the Scottish economy. Anas Sarwar: I thank the Minister for that answer. Does he think it acceptable that no detailed discussions John Robertson: I thank the Secretary of State for his were held between UKBA and either Ypeople or the answer. He says that he has had these meetings, yet Angel Group ahead of the decision to scrap the contract British Gas, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern with Glasgow city council, even though they will be Energy have said that on no occasion has he ever made to take responsibility for more than 1,000 asylum discussed the price hiking that these companies are seekers in the city? Will he agree to meet representatives undertaking. When will he try to support the people of of all those involved in the dispute, so that he can make Scotland by doing something about the price hikes? an informed contribution to the Immigration Minister? Michael Moore: What I recognise is the importance David Mundell: I will certainly be happy to meet the of ensuring that we get a fair deal for consumers, as well hon. Gentleman and other people who have an interest as for the shareholders—the companies are concerned in this matter. I know that he has already had the about that. As the hon. Gentleman will know, Ofgem opportunity to meet UKBA, and I think that he will has announced an inquiry into consumer protection share with me the positive view that although the people and competition in the sector. I expect that to be a very involved will no longer have a contract with Glasgow thorough process. city council and will instead have one with another provider, many of them will stay in the same properties Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ and that will minimise disruption. Co-op): I am glad to see that the Secretary of State was able to get back from Scotland to be here today, despite the cold weather and the travel difficulties. Given that Pete Wishart: Does the Minister even start to understand cold weather, and the increase in energy bills that many and appreciate the outrage that exists in Scotland about people have experienced, is he aware of the concern the treatment of asylum seekers? This is not just about among many of my constituents and many others that the Glasgow situation, appalling though that is; it is the most vulnerable people will struggle to pay their also about the detention of children and the operation bills, when they should be entitled to be on social of the section 4 card. Will he get down to the UKBA to tariffs? Will he therefore undertake to convene a summit explain that we look at these issues very differently in of the six energy companies to discuss, in particular, Scotland and we expect the UKBA to act accordingly? what they are doing to ensure that people who should be on social tariffs are on them, and that people in David Mundell: I do recognise that there are concerns Scotland are not left cold at home this winter? in Scotland about how the matter in Glasgow was handled, and the Immigration Minister accepts that the Michael Moore: I am glad of the hon. Gentleman’s correspondence with those affected could have been welcome, and I appreciate, as he will, that many people much better handled. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman in Scotland, and indeed in the whole of the United will welcome, as I do, the inquiry that the Scottish Kingdom, have been struggling to get to work and go Affairs Committee is conducting into relations in Scotland about their business today.He rightly focuses on temperature with UKBA. 803 Oral Answers1 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 804 Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): I welcome Economy the Minister’s acceptance that the correspondence could have been handled better on the cancellation of the 4. Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con): What Glasgow contract, because as a result of letters sent out recent discussions he has had with the First Minister by UKBA, vulnerable people, including many families, on the relationship between the UK Government and were left in a state of extreme anxiety about where they Scottish Executive with regard to economic policy would be living. Can he reassure us that lessons will be under the devolution settlement. [26710] learned from this, so that such mistakes are not repeated in future? The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore): I have had a number of exchanges with the First Minister David Mundell: Indeed, I can give the hon. Lady that in recent weeks. Yesterday, the Scotland Bill was introduced assurance. As soon as these issues came to light, the in this House. If enacted, the Bill will strengthen devolution Secretary of State for Scotland was in contact with by giving the Scottish Parliament a financial stake in the Immigration Minister. There is a recognition that the Scottish economy while maintaining the economic the correspondence was inappropriate, and a number of strength we all desire from being in the United Kingdom. measures have been taken. For example, everyone affected will have at least 14 days’ notice if they have to move. Progress has been made. The initial letter was regrettable, Mr Amess: Now that we know that the Scottish but the situation will be better in future. nationalist party—[HON.MEMBERS: “National party.”] It put Holyrood’s tax-raising powers out of commission HIV for two years without telling the Scottish Parliament. Does the Secretary of State agree that the Scottish 3. David Cairns (Inverclyde) (Lab): What recent Government should be made more accountable for discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State their financial management to such an extent that there for Health and (b) Scottish Executive on strategies to should be a closer relationship between economic growth reduce the incidence of HIV in the UK. [26709] and how much money is spent? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore: My hon. Friend makes some interesting (David Mundell): I am in contact with the Secretary of observations. I can confirm that the Scotland Bill, if State for Health and the Scottish Government on a enacted, will provide exactly what he asks for. It will range of matters. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the empower the Scottish Parliament, increase its financial Government published their public health White Paper accountability and secure Scotland’s place in the United yesterday. As that is taken forward, close attention will Kingdom. be paid to the lessons that can be learned from the Scottish Government HIV action plan. Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): Where the Scotland Bill makes a real difference to the lives of people in David Cairns: I am grateful to the Minister for that Scotland and to the Scottish economy, it will have the answer. On world AIDS day, it is worth reminding support of the SNP.During the passage of the legislation ourselves of the rather obvious fact that viruses such as in this House, will the Secretary of State and his Tory HIV do not respect borders. Will he reassure me that as colleagues accept improvements that will deliver additional the Government seek to draw up their sexual health and powers that will give the Scottish economy a competitive HIV strategy they will work closely with all the devolved advantage? Administrations to ensure a coherent and joined-up approach? That is the only way that we will slow the Michael Moore: I welcome the hon.