Wednesday Volume 607 23 March 2016 No. 138 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 23 March 2016 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2016 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 1553 23 MARCH 2016 1554 Will the Secretary of State discuss with Front-Bench House of Commons colleagues a regional strategy for smaller airports—at Prestwick, people fly in over Royal Troon—and, while Wednesday 23 March 2016 the Chancellor is in a listening mood, will they consider a VAT reduction for rural tourism, which would help many constituencies across the UK? The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Mr Speaker: Presumably with a view to people then playing golf. PRAYERS Dr Whitford: But they need to come here first. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Speaker: Indeed they do, as the hon. Lady pertinently observes from a sedentary position. Oral Answers to Questions David Mundell: I would be very happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss those issues further. I am also very interested in pursuing the proposed Ayrshire regional SCOTLAND growth deal, which, in promoting tourism in that part of Scotland, will have golf at its heart. The Secretary of State was asked— Alberto Costa (South Leicestershire) (Con): May I add my contribution on this topic by saying that it was Golf (Economic Contribution) with pleasure, last week, that I saw the Secretary of State sharing a platform with the First Minister, who I 1. Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con): If he will estimate am sure raised the topic we are discussing? Will my the contribution of golf to the economy in Scotland in right hon. Friend confirm that that is an example of the the last 12 months. [904200] two Governments working together in the interests of the people of Scotland? The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell): May I begin by expressing the solidarity of the people David Mundell: Mr Speaker, you will be pleased to of Scotland with the people of Belgium at this difficult hear that the First Minister and I met and shared a time? Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go to the platform in St Andrews, which is of course the world families and friends of all those who were killed and, home of golf. On sport, as on any matter, Scotland of indeed, everyone caught up in yesterday’s horrific events. course does best when Scotland’s two Governments Golf makes a huge contribution to Scotland’s economy. work together. Independent analysis in 2013 showed that the game contributes more than £1 billion in revenues and supports Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): This is the first some 20,000 jobs. There are almost 600 golf courses opportunity in Parliament to put on the record our across the country, generating annual revenues of total revulsion at and condemnation of the terrorist £582 million. atrocities in Brussels, as well as our solidarity with everybody affected. We join the Secretary of State for Tom Pursglove: I thank the Secretary of State for his Scotland in that. answer, and I very much share his sentiments of solidarity The promotion of the Ryder cup in Scotland was a towards the people of Belgium at this very difficult huge achievement for the Scottish Government and the time. then First Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member Given the success that my right hon. Friend talks for Gordon (Alex Salmond). Today is the last sitting about in relation to golf in Scotland, what steps is he day of the Scottish Parliament. Given that he is standing taking to try to secure further investment in this very down from Holyrood, may I pay tribute to my right important industry for Scotland? hon. Friend for his remarkable tenure as an MSP and as First Minister, and pay tribute to all other MSPs from David Mundell: One new opportunity to support golf all parties who are retiring? Does the Secretary of State and young people in golf arose in last week’s Budget: agree that there is much that can be built on following the sugar tax element of the Budget will see investment the success of the Ryder cup? How does he plan to in sport in schools in the wider UK. I hope the Scottish contribute to that? Government will follow through on that and use those funds to develop sport in schools, including golf—a Mr Speaker: I am sure that that was a courteous very popular sport, as I have said. This year, we also tribute, but I hope the right hon. Gentleman will not have the opportunity to present Scotland’s golfing merits object if I say that the first part of his question was way to the wider world during the British Open at Royal off the fairway. Troon. It will be a showcase for the world of Scotland’s golfing opportunities. David Mundell: Securing the Ryder cup to be held in Scotland was a significant event. I agree that the former Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Ayrshire) (SNP): I First Minister of Scotland has made a remarkable thank the right hon. Gentleman for mentioning my contribution to Scottish politics, although the right local golf course; I am the MP for Royal Troon, and we hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) and I will look forward to welcoming people in July. probably differ on the detail of that. What the former 1555 Oral Answers23 MARCH 2016 Oral Answers 1556 First Minister and many MSPs who are standing down—I United Kingdom. Had Scotland become independent, also pay tribute to them—have done, and what we all it would be facing a very substantial loss of revenue and need to do, is promote Scotland together, because that have great difficulties absorbing that. is when we get the best results for Scotland. Government’s Welfare Programme Angus Robertson: I will try to remain on the fairway, Mr Speaker. 3. Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (Ochil and South Tourism is one of Scotland’s most important industries, Perthshire) (SNP): What recent discussions he has had and golf and whisky are key drivers for people visiting with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the country. Does the Secretary of State welcome local the effects of the Government’s welfare programme on initiatives better to promote iconic Scottish regions and social and economic inequalities in Scotland. [904202] locations, such as Speyside? What encouragement would The Minister for Employment (Priti Patel): I meet my he give to public and private sector partners in making right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland the most of Scotland’s world-class potential as a tourism and counterpart Ministers in the Scottish Government draw? on a regular basis to discuss devolution of welfare programmes to the Scottish Government. David Mundell: I am aware of the initiatives to promote Speyside, having recently visited the right hon. Gentleman’s Ms Ahmed-Sheikh: Last week’s Budget saw one of picturesque constituency, and I wish them well. Such the most iniquitous measures proposed by this Government, opportunities reach their full potential only with significant which was to cut the personal independence payment public and private sector partners playing a full part, for 40,000 disabled people in Scotland. When did the and I look forward to hearing about progress from Secretary of State for Scotland, and Ministers, first Speyside and other regions of Scotland that are making realise that that was the wrong thing to do? Was it the most of that potential. around the Cabinet table, during the Budget statement or on Sunday when the Prime Minister was forced to North Sea Oil and Gas backtrack? 2. Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con): What discussions Priti Patel: The Government’s position on PIP and he has had with representatives of the North Sea oil and disability reforms is clear, and was announced by my gas industry on UK Government support for that sector. right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Chancellor. [904201] Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Glasgow South) (SNP): The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Will the Secretary of State tell the House and the people Gauke): Ministers and officials have meetings with a of Scotland when he realised that those cuts were wide variety of organisations in the public and private wrong, or was he planning a resignation over the weekend? sectors, including the oil and gas industry. Last week, the Chancellor announced a further package of reforms Priti Patel: As I have said, the Government’s position to support jobs and investment in the oil and gas sector. has been made abundantly clear. If the hon. Gentleman That will help the industry respond to the challenging missed the statement by the Secretary of State for Work commercial conditions caused by the steep fall in oil and Pensions on Monday, I will be more than happy to prices. share it with him again. Stuart Andrew: The excellent Budget package for the Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): I start by echoing oil and gas industry has certainly been welcomed by the comments of the Secretary of State and the leader that industry. Is that another example showing that of the Scottish National party, and pass on my heartfelt when Scotland’s two Governments work together they condolences to all those involved in the events in Brussels. can get the best outcome for Scotland in the United We will defeat terrorism, but, as the Secretary of State Kingdom—something that an independent Scotland said, it will take solidarity and resolve.