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Wednesday Volume 657 27 March 2019 No. 278 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 27 March 2019 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2019 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 301 27 MARCH 2019 302 Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): Under House of Commons the Conservative Government, the Scottish budget has been cut by £2.6 billion in real terms over 10 years, and yet the confidence and supply deal with the Democratic Wednesday 27 March 2019 Unionist party means that the Barnett formula has been broken to the tune of £3.4 billion. When is Scotland going to get that money? The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Mel Stride: The Barnett formula has been honoured. PRAYERS As the hon. Gentleman will know, there are Barnett consequentials where moneys are allocated to devolved matters within England. That is not the case in the [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] recent additional amounts to support the Northern Ireland budget. It is also the case that in the recent autumn Budget the Chancellor announced changes that resulted in an additional £950 million for the Scottish Oral Answers to Questions Government. Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): The economy of rural Scotland would suffer serious SCOTLAND damage if the Government’s proposals for tariffs on foodstuff were ever to be implemented. The National Farmers Union of Scotland has called for that to be The Secretary of State was asked— rethought. Are the Government listening to it? Government Policies: Implications for Scottish Economy Mel Stride: The Government are most certainly listening to all those who have concerns about the introduction 1. Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con): What discussions he of tariffs where they are not in existence, as is currently has had with Cabinet colleagues on the implications of the case between ourselves and the EU27. Once again, the Government’s policies for the Scottish economy. that is why the deal that is before the House, which [909972] has been negotiated with the European Union, is so important—because that would mean that we would The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mel Stride): not run into those particular difficulties. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has regular discussions with fellow Cabinet Ministers Lesley Laird (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) (Lab): regarding all matters that are of importance to Scotland. This question is specifically to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The Secretary of State for Scotland has three Stephen Kerr: Does my right hon. Friend agree that responsibilities: strengthening and sustaining the Union; direct engagement by UK Government Departments, acting as Scotland’s voice in Whitehall; and championing such as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial the UK Government in Scotland. Which one does he Strategy and the Treasury, in growth deals such as the think he is doing best, and why? Stirling and Clackmannanshire city region deal is the best way to ensure that all economic objectives are met? Mel Stride: I have no hesitation in answering on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, Mel Stride: May I reassure my hon. Friend that bound as I am to do so, given that I started this series of discussions are held right across Whitehall Departments, questions and convention dictates that I have to reply including those to which he refers, to ensure that the city on his behalf. Those are all absolute priorities for my deal projects, including the Stirling and Clackmannanshire right hon. Friend, and he will continue to speak up for city deal, are as successful as possible? I also recognise the people of Scotland. the extraordinary amount of work, effort and drive that he has personally put into helping ensure that they are a Lesley Laird: I have to express the Opposition’s success. disappointment that the Secretary of State for Scotland is repeatedly not standing up and being accountable. Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): The Secretary Once again, this question is directly to the Secretary of of State and I had a conversation in the Tea Room on State for Scotland, because it is he who holds the office, Monday, but given that he is not answering this question not the right hon. Gentleman sitting next to him. I will have to ask about something else. Brexit is obviously I am afraid that I have to tell the Secretary of State the biggest issue with regard to the impact on the that I disagree with the previous response. His record is Scottish economy, so can the Financial Secretary tell us abysmal. He has failed on the stronger towns fund; how much the Scottish economy will shrink by if the failed on Brexit funding for Scotland’s businesses; failed Prime Minister’s deal is passed in this House? to stand up for Scotland’s shipbuilding communities through his non-action on the fleet solid support ships Mel Stride: The cross-Government analysis that we contract; and failed to respect the devolution settlement. have already come forward with shows, as the hon. He has even failed to follow through on his own resignation Gentleman will know, that, on the basis that we are threats. Secretary of State, how bad does it need to get leaving the European Union, by far the best outcome is for the people of Scotland under this Tory Government to support the Prime Minister’s deal. before you do the right thing and actually resign? 303 Oral Answers 27 MARCH 2019 Oral Answers 304 Mel Stride: I categorically do not accept the points the UK since the EU referendum. Can the Secretary of the hon. Lady makes. My right hon. Friend does indeed State say, with any honesty, that his Government’s stand up for Scotland, which is partly why—[Interruption.] pursuit of Brexit, and their hostile immigration policy, The reason why he is not at the Dispatch Box, as the has not seriously harmed the NHS? hon. Lady well knows, is to do with the way in which the conventions of the House operate in respect of the David Mundell: I could absolutely say that, because answering of questions. She knows that and it is a little the Government are committed, as they have demonstrated unfair of her, if I may say, Mr Speaker, to try to make across the UK for which they are responsible, to the political capital out of that particular procedural element. additional funding of the NHS. We have set out an My right hon. Friend has stood up for Scotland to the immigration White Paper, a route for engagement, to extent that there was £950 million additional budget for ensure that going forward we have EU and other citizens Scotland as a consequence of the last autumn Budget, in our country to support the NHS and other services. with £1.3 billion going into city growth deals across Scotland. That is to support Scotland, the economy and Mr Paul Sweeney (Glasgow North East) (Lab/Co-op): the Scottish people. It is nice to get a chance to actually shadow the Secretary of State, instead of myriad other Departments that turn Leaving the EU: Public Services up from week to week, particularly as his own Government analysis shows that their plan for Brexit will result in a 2. Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): What 4% drop in gross domestic product. If his party’s track discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for record tells us anything, it will choose to impose austerity Exiting the European Union on the potential effect on and poverty pay on public services and workers to make public services in Scotland of the UK leaving the EU. up for that decline. One of the worst consequences of [909973] austerity is rising food insecurity, resulting in food bank use rising faster in Scotland than across the rest of the The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell): UK. Given the pressure that the failed austerity agenda I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the is putting on our public services, will the Secretary of Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. The State say how many food banks are currently operational best way to ensure that public services in Scotland and in Scotland and does he predict that the number will go across the rest of the UK are protected is to ensure that up or down under the current policies of this Government? we leave the EU with a deal. David Mundell: I thought the hon. Gentleman might Jo Swinson: May I share with the Secretary of State have begun with an apology for his shameful remarks, an email from one of my constituents, Ian? He says: when he said that people who did not agree with him in “As a doctor, I have already seen the adverse impact of Brexit the Labour party leaving was “necessary cleansing”. I on the NHS. Staff shortages are already hurting us…We cannot do not know if Labour Members are aware of those have Brexit and give the NHS resources it so badly needs. I know comments, but I believe that they are truly shameful. Of which people in our local community would prefer.” course, in relation to food banks, everybody regrets the Which does the Secretary of State think the people of need that people have in emergency situations to use Scotland would prefer: a decently funded NHS or Brexit? food banks, but we are clear that the support that we are providing to people as we leave the EU will be sufficient David Mundell: I think everybody in Scotland wants to meet their needs.