The Bank of England has already sensibly engaged in technical discussions with the Scottish Government. As each day

passes and a yes vote on independence becomes more likely, is it not about time this Government abandoned their bellicose scaremongering and also engaged in sensible discussions with the Scottish Government on how these institutions can continue to work, in the best interests of both countries?

The Bank of England has already sensibly engaged in technical discussions with the Scottish Government. As each day

passes and a yes vote on independence becomes more likely, is it not about time this Government abandoned their bellicose scaremongering and also engaged in sensible discussions with the Scottish Government on how these institutions can continue to work, in the best interests of both countries?

On 29 January, the Financial Times reported that on independence, with £100 billion of sales, Scotland would be one of the top 35 exporting countries in the world. If the Secretary of State has his way—I am sure that he will not—when does he intend to run around to the good people of England explaining the impact on their currency when £100 billion of Scottish export sales are no longer receipted in sterling?

On 29 January, the Financial Times reported that on independence, with £100 billion of sales, Scotland would be one of the top 35 exporting countries in the world. If the Secretary of State has his way—I am sure that he will not—when does he intend to run around to the good people of England explaining the impact on their currency when £100 billion of Scottish export sales are no longer receipted in sterling?

The UK Government’s attitude to the living wage was encapsulated by the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) earlier this year when she said:

“There is no recognised definition of a national living wage.”—[Official Report, 10 June 2013; Vol. 563, c. 211W.]

She went on to explain that the Government had therefore made no assessment of its consequences, were it to be introduced. Should not the Government move quickly to introduce a living wage for their employees, wherever they might be based in the UK, rather than hiding behind the vacuous argument that it is too difficult to calculate, given that we know it will be £7.65 an hour in Scotland and £8.80 in London next year?

The UK Government’s attitude to the living wage was encapsulated by the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) earlier this year when she said:

“There is no recognised definition of a national living wage.”—[Official Report, 10 June 2013; Vol. 563, c. 211W.]

She went on to explain that the Government had therefore made no assessment of its consequences, were it to be introduced. Should not the Government move quickly to introduce a living wage for their employees, wherever they might be based in the UK, rather than hiding behind the vacuous argument that it is too difficult to calculate, given that we know it will be £7.65 an hour in Scotland and £8.80 in London next year?

I expect that Scotland will vote yes to independence next year and in those circumstances, the best hope for businesses in the north-west of England—and, indeed, businesses throughout England, which sell £50 billion of goods and services to Scotland every year—is the maintenance of sterling in a formal currency union, which was described by the

right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling) as logical and desirable. Does the Minister agree with the right hon. Gentleman or with yesterday’s scaremongering “project fear” nonsense from the Chief Secretary?

I expect that Scotland will vote yes to independence next year and in those circumstances, the best hope for businesses in the north-west of England—and, indeed, businesses throughout England, which sell £50 billion of goods and services to Scotland every year—is the maintenance of sterling in a formal currency union, which was described by the

right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling) as logical and desirable. Does the Minister agree with the right hon. Gentleman or with yesterday’s scaremongering “project fear” nonsense from the Chief Secretary?

The Scottish Secretary prayed in aid one of the Treasury’s analysis documents on Scotland in relation to currency. However, given that his own Chancellor is unable to get his economic growth forecasts correct six months to a year out, how can he possibly expect us to believe an analysis that is supposed to forecast the Scottish growth rate for the next 30 years? It is not serious, is it? It is just more “Project Fear” scaremongering designed to talk Scotland down.

The Scottish Secretary prayed in aid one of the Treasury’s analysis documents on Scotland in relation to currency. However, given that his own Chancellor is unable to get his economic growth forecasts correct six months to a year out, how can he possibly expect us to believe an analysis that is supposed to forecast the Scottish growth rate for the next 30 years? It is not serious, is it? It is just more “Project Fear” scaremongering designed to talk Scotland down.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding in (a) capital DEL, (b) resource DEL and (c) financial transactions has been allocated to the Scottish Government in (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16.

[165765]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding in (a) capital DEL, (b) resource DEL and (c) financial transactions has been allocated to the Scottish Government in (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16.

[165765]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with legal authorities in Scotland on European arrest warrants.

[160891]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with legal authorities in Scotland on European arrest warrants.

[160891]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding in financial transactions was allocated to the Scottish Government in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14; and how much he plans to allocate in 2014-15.

[161017]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding in financial transactions was allocated to the Scottish Government in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14; and how much he plans to allocate in 2014-15.

[161017]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the statement on page 6 of his Department's publication, Scotland Analysis: Financial Services and Banking, whether the calculation that banks have assets totalling around 1254 per cent of Scotland's GDP included the assets of RBS Group's Markets Division.

[160781]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the statement on page 6 of his Department's publication, Scotland Analysis: Financial Services and Banking, whether the calculation that banks have assets totalling around 1254 per cent of Scotland's GDP included the assets of RBS Group's Markets Division.

[160781]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding in (a) capital DEL (b) resource DEL and (c) financial transfers have been allocated to the Scottish Government in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.

[160273]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding in (a) capital DEL (b) resource DEL and (c) financial transfers have been allocated to the Scottish Government in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.

[160273]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the statement on page 6 of his Department's publication, Scotland Analysis: Financial Services and Banking, that Scottish banks have assets totalling around 1254 per cent of an independent Scotland's GDP, if he will provide a full list of assets included...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the statement on page 6 of his Department's publication, Scotland Analysis: Financial Services and Banking, that Scottish banks have assets totalling around 1254 per cent of an independent Scotland's GDP, if he will provide a full list of assets included...