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Wednesday Volume 522 26 January 2011 No. 106 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 26 January 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 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] 273 26 JANUARY 2011 274 Does the Secretary of State think that inward investment House of Commons to Scotland would be helped if Glasgow Prestwick airport were renamed Robert Burns airport? Wednesday 26 January 2011 Michael Moore: From one great defender of Ayrshire to another. The family will be pleased to hear the hon. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Gentleman’s tributes to Phil Gallie. As far as the hon. Gentleman’s idea for the renaming of the airport is PRAYERS concerned, I am sure that those who make such decisions will have heard him. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): As the Secretary of State will know, the north-east of Scotland and Aberdeen is a powerhouse of the UK economy, providing much-needed tax revenues and inward Oral Answers to Questions investment. Crucial to the future of attracting inward investment is good communications technology. Will he meet me to discuss the barriers that mean that we have SCOTLAND not yet seen the next generation of broadband reach Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland? The Secretary of State was asked— Michael Moore: First, I agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of Aberdeen and the regional Business Growth economy not just for Scotland but for the UK as a whole. He is right to emphasise that. I met senior 1. Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): What recent steps he business leaders in Aberdeen only a few weeks ago, and has taken to promote business growth and inward we discussed how they could develop growth. Broadband investment in Scotland. [35124] is an important part of that, and he will be aware of our plans to speed up the introduction of superfast broadband. The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore): I would be delighted to meet him to discuss the matter Before I answer the question, may I pay tribute to further. Mr Phil Gallie, whose passing has sadly been announced this week? He served this House and his party well while Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): I associate myself he was here, and he went on to serve his party and his and my colleagues with the condolences in relation to constituents with distinction in the Scottish Parliament. Phil Gallie’s death. He did that rare but important thing—while a feisty Does the Secretary of State understand that thousands defender of his party’s positions on all sorts of things, of individuals and businesses the length and breadth of he became popular across party lines. Our condolences Scotland are suffering because of rocketing fuel prices? go to his family. Economic growth is at the centre of the Government’s Michael Moore: I recognise that the increase in fuel agenda for this Parliament, and I promote that agenda prices is a real challenge for individuals and businesses, in my regular engagements with the business community which is why the Government are looking carefully at in Scotland and the UK and with international partners. ways in which we can tackle that issue, including proposals for a fuel duty stabiliser. Mark Menzies: May I join the Secretary of State in his condolences to the family of Phil Gallie, a fellow Angus Robertson: But it was two years ago that the Ayrshireman and someone I knew well? Liberal Democrats promised a rural fuel duty derogation. The Secretary of State mentioned the efforts to promote What specific action have the UK Government taken jobs. Will he update the House on what he has done to with the European authorities to secure that? Specifically, follow up on the visit of the vice-premier of China, in has a formal request been made to the European particular on the trade links between Scotland and Commission to make it possible? China? Michael Moore: Referring to the hon. Gentleman’s Michael Moore: A very significant part of the vice- earlier point, it is important for Scotland and the whole premier’s visit, which of course we welcomed enthusiastically UK to get a fuel duty regime that reflects the challenges here in the United Kingdom, was that he started it in that exist, particularly in rural parts of the country. On Scotland. I had the great privilege of welcoming him to the derogation specifically, he will be aware that the the UK on behalf of the Government. In the course of Government are working very hard to ensure that we that visit, we in Scotland and the rest of the UK were can get the right processes in place in Europe, so that we able to see very clearly the opportunities for us to get the pilot up and running as quickly as possible. develop our plan to be partners for growth, whether in renewable energy or in many other spheres. Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): I welcome the Government’s moves towards a lower rate of fuel duty Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab): May for the islands, but under the plans that they inherited I add my condolences to those expressed to the family from the Labour Government, fuel duty is due to go up of Phil Gallie? He and I came into this place on the by more than 4p a litre in the Budget. The rural economy same day, and I have to say that he was more working-class could not stand such an increase, so I hope that the than most Labour MPs are today, and a feisty fighter Secretary of State will tell the Chancellor not to go as well. ahead with Labour’s 4p increase. 275 Oral Answers26 JANUARY 2011 Oral Answers 276 Michael Moore: I know the particular challenges on Scottish Devolution, which is also known as the in my hon. Friend’s area, where some of the highest Calman commission. The Government introduced the fuel prices in the whole country can be found. His Scotland Bill on 30 November—St Andrew’s Day—2010. representations to me and to the Chancellor are carefully The Bill will have its Second Reading in this House noted, and of course the decision on the future of fuel tomorrow and I look forward to hon. Members taking duty will come in the Budget. part in the debate. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): Good transport Iain Stewart: I very much welcome the provisions in links to other parts of the UK are vital for the Scottish the Scotland Bill to make the Scottish Parliament more economy. As the Secretary of State is aware, I wrote to fiscally accountable, but can my right hon. Friend give him and to the Secretary of State for Transport on me an assurance that the business community on both Monday last week to express my concerns about reports sides of the border will be fully consulted about the that bmi is about to axe its Glasgow-Heathrow service, implementation of the tax powers, so that it does not which will put more than 100 jobs at risk. To date, I suffer an undue administrative burden? have had no reply from either him or his colleague. Will he inform the House today what steps he and his Michael Moore: I welcome my hon. Friend’s Government are taking to persuade both bmi and BAA comments—I know that he has more than a passing to save that vital transport connection? interest in those particular powers. I can give him absolutely the assurance that he wants. Through the Michael Moore: I recognise the hon. Lady’s concerns, high-level implementation group, which brings together which are shared by people not just in Glasgow, but experts from a range of bodies, and Her Majesty’s across Scotland. I have spoken to senior managers both Revenue and Customs technical groups, we are consulting at bmi and BAA, and it is clear that they have some very very carefully and taking on board all the comments difficult contractual arrangements as a result of the being made. review of landing charges at Heathrow. I am keen that David Mowat: Calman acknowledged that the Barnett they recognise—I impressed this upon them—the formula no longer reflected need. As a consequence, importance of those links to Glasgow and to Scotland. constituencies such as mine—Warrington South—receive many millions of pounds per year less than equivalent Ann McKechin: I am grateful for the Secretary of constituencies in Scotland. Does the Minister have any State’s response, but given that there is increasing evidence plans to amend the Scotland Bill to put the allocation that domestic air links between Scotland’s major airports on to a basis of need? and the UK’s largest airport might be substantially diminished, and the inevitable worries that increased Mr Speaker: All I will say to the Secretary of State is fares will result if there is only one remaining carrier, that that question is very wide of the considerations of will he undertake today to make contact with the EU, the Calman commission, and I feel sure that he will be which is responsible for regulation, and ask it to consider dextrous enough to provide an orderly reply.
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