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Child Abduction
Mr. Hawkins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals the Government have for changes to the laws preventing illegal abduction of children in tug-of-love cases, with reference to the Hague Convention and overseas courts' differing interpretation and with particular reference to decisions of the courts in Greece. [102719]
Jane Kennedy: The Government have no plans to amend the law in this way. The Government believe that the legal principles underlying the operation of the Hague Child Abduction Convention are generally satisfactory. It participates fully in the mechanisms for reviewing the operation of international conventions on child abduction, both internationally and bilaterally.
SCOTLAND
Manufacturing Investment
6. Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the First Minister on prospects for inward investment for the manufacturing sector in Scotland. [101224]
Dr. Reid: I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a wide variety of topics. Inward investors have made an important contribution to the Scottish economy in recent years and I hope we will continue to attract them. It is an area in which Scotland benefits from both the UK effort and the distinctive Scottish dimension.
Cabinet Sub-Committees
8. Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding proposals for the creation of Cabinet Sub-Committees with Ministers of the Scottish Executive and the UK Government. [101226]
Dr. Reid: I represent Scottish interests in the Cabinet and its Committees. The Scottish Executive are not members of Cabinet Committees which decide the policy of the UK Government, but can work alongside UK Ministers in joint committees or in groups set up to look at particular issues. That is the kind of partnership which this Government can create, in the best interests of the whole UK.
12. Mr. Swinney: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation and staffing of the proposed joint ministerial sub-committees between the Scottish Executive and UK Departments. ["101230"]
Dr. Reid:
The Joint Action Committees on Poverty and the Knowledge Economy will operate as functional committees of the Joint Ministerial Committee, details of which were set out in the Memorandum of Understanding published in October. The Secretariat will be drawn from each of the devolved Administrations,
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including Northern Ireland, the Cabinet Office, Treasury and DSS and DTI as appropriate. The first meeting of the Joint Action Committee on Poverty took place on Thursday 9 December.
9. Mr. Ottaway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on Government proposals to introduce a UK-wide identity card scheme. [101227]
Mr. Wilson:
This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
10. Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the Scottish Executive about the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to inward investment. [101228]
Mr. Wilson:
The Memorandum of Understanding and the Concordat dealing with financial assistance for inward investment were discussed in detail with the Scottish Executive ahead of publication on 1 October.
11. Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he proposes to take to help those rural regions that will no longer receive aid from European structural funds under the new Objective 2 but which still require some form of assistance. [101229]
Mr. Wilson:
The United Kingdom proposals submitted to the Commission focus on the areas of greater need.
Areas no longer eligible under Objective 2 will receive the benefit of the transitional funding arrangements agreed at the Berlin Summit.
Support under Objective 3 for training and the Rural Development Regulation will also be available in these areas as will other national and local programmes.
13. Mrs. Ray Michie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he had with the First Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister prior to the announcement of the closure of the Oban coastguard station. [101231]
Mr. Wilson:
My right hon. Friend is in regular contact with the First Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister on a wide range of issues including matters relating to maritime safety and coastguard stations.
14. Mr. David Stewart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his liaison role in respect of the future of oil fabrication in the highlands and islands. [101232]
Mr. Wilson:
I am, of course, extremely concerned about the impact of the job losses announced by Barmac, which I recently visited at the request of my hon. Friend, and the situation faced by all UK oil fabrication yards. These are issues being addressed by the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force, of which I am a member. As agreed at its meeting on 1 December, plans are already under
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way for a group to meet as soon as possible to clarify how they can together best help the industry adapt to the changes in the market.
16. Mr. Charles Kennedy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has held with the oil industry on the future of North sea oil fabrication contracts; and if he will make a statement. [101234]
Mr. Wilson:
I am a member of the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force, which includes industry representatives. The Task Force last met on 1 December. I also met representatives of the management and unions at Barmac last week.
I also refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart).
23. Mrs. Ewing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive and the Treasury regarding future assistance for fabrication yards in the north of Scotland. [101241]
Mr. Wilson:
I am a member of the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force which includes representatives from industry, trade unions, Government and the Scottish Executive. The Task Force is considering the issues being faced by all UK oil fabrication yards. I have recently visited the Barmac yard at Ardersier where I had useful discussions with the management and trade unions, along with Ministers from the Scottish Executive.
15. Mr. Blunt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from which budgets briefing for Scottish Executive Ministers provided by United Kingdom Departments is paid for. [101233]
Dr. Reid:
Extensive and balanced two-way exchange of information takes place continuously between the UK Government and the devolved Administrations under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding and the associated concordats. No reimbursements are sought for the limited costs associated with providing briefing for another Administration. The costs of setting up such a system would outweigh any minimal benefits.
17. Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future regulation of the generation and supply of electricity in Scotland. [101235]
Mr. Wilson:
Regulation of the electricity industry is a matter for the Director General of Gas and Electricity Supply. As part of the utility reform Bill, which was announced in the Queen's speech last month, the role of the regulator will be revised to put consumers at the heart of the regulatory process.
18. Mrs. McKenna:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on the Scottish economy of the UK Government's defence procurement policies. [101236]
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Dr. Reid:
On the basis of the most recent figures available, defence expenditure in Scotland at approximately £1.9 billion supports, directly and indirectly, some 55,000 jobs. Clearly defence expenditure is both substantial and important to the Scottish economy.
19. Mr. Browne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the impact in Scotland of his pre-Budget statement. [101237]
Dr. Reid:
My right hon. Friend's pre-Budget Report contained significant new measures which will further assist Scotland's economy and improve employment opportunities and social justice. I welcome the benefit for Scotland from these and other measures announced by my right hon. Friend, including proposals for changes to the fuel duty regime and for consultation on the Air Passenger Duty.
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