§ 5. Ms Rachel Squire (Dunfermline, West)If he will make a statement on the arrangements for joint scrutiny with the Scottish Executive of European legislation. [84130]
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Dr. John Reid)On this occasion I shall refer to my book. Detailed arrangements for the scrutiny of European legislation in the Scottish Parliament will be a matter for members of its European Committee. Liaison between that Committee and the European scrutiny Committees will be a matter for members of those Committees. Scottish Ministers will play their part in fully developing the agreed UK line.
§ Ms SquireI, too, begin by congratulating my right hon. Friend on becoming Secretary of State for Scotland. Does he agree that, although the European Union has brought considerable financial and other benefits to Scotland, both to remote rural areas and to areas that have experienced heavy job losses in traditional manufacturing and other industries, it is still seen as unaccountable and distant from people's everyday lives? Does he therefore agree that the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament can take the lead in bringing Europe closer to the people by working together, developing effective joint scrutiny of European legislation and, through such a partnership, delivering the best possible deal for the people whom we jointly represent?
§ Dr. ReidI agree with my hon. Friend on both points. We need a strong voice in Europe, and that is provided by the Labour Government. We aim to see Scotland leading in Britain and Europe, not leaving Britain or Europe. Our voice should certainly be directed partly towards making the EU, its instruments and the vehicles 151 of its policy more directly relevant to ordinary families in rural and other areas throughout Scotland. The achievement of a strong voice in Europe, to make the EU more relevant, to reform it and to bring it more directly to people's interests, is the reason that every vote in the European election should be cast for the Scottish Labour party.
§ Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)When considering implementation of European legislation, will the Secretary of State consider the concerns of the hon. Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Dr. Godman) and meet the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to discuss its concerns that past implementation has set precedents of which the Committees that agreed the orders were not aware and which could influence decisions on future implementation?
§ Dr. ReidAs I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Dr. Godman), I shall carefully consider any representation that I receive from Mr. Morrison and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation. I have explained the basis on which the decision was taken, but, if any representation is made, I shall consider it.
§ Mrs. Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth)I welcome all the new members of the Front-Bench team to their posts. On a European note, may I suggest that Scots are good Scots, good Britons and good Europeans? Will my right hon. Friend join me in sending our best wishes to our fellow Scot Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United squad who will attempt to bring the European champions cup to Britain tomorrow?
§ Dr. ReidI have no hesitation in agreeing with every word that my hon. Friend said. Alex Ferguson is an example to us all of how to lead in Britain and in Europe. That is precisely what the Labour Government aim to do, and that is another reason for voting Labour in the European elections. We send heartfelt support to Manchester United, and I hope to see the European cup come back to Britain.
§ Mr. Oliver Letwin (West Dorset)May I add to the congratulations that many hon. Members have offered to the Secretary of State, not least because of the quite admirable way in which he has dealt with his first, positively surreal Scottish Question Time? In the light of his remarkable and self-proclaimed ability to do two things at once, whose part would the Secretary of State take if a piece of European legislation meant that the interests of Scotland conflicted with those of the whole United Kingdom?
§ Dr. ReidIt is clear that United Kingdom Ministers will lead on issues in Europe. It is equally clear, however, that the Scottish Parliament and its representatives will be fully involved in formulating the UK policy on any representation to Europe. It may be some time since the hon. Gentleman was in Government; I cannot recall whether he ever was.
§ Mr. Letwinindicated dissent.
§ Dr. ReidHe modestly indicates that he was not. When, at some distant stage in the future, the hon. 152 Gentleman does enter Government, he will find that the reconciliation of differences such as the one that he has raised are an everyday occurrence.