Question
I am sure that you, Mr. Speaker, will be aware, as the whole House will, that today we are celebrating Robert Burns day. Has my right hon. Friend had a chance to read a speech given last week describing Scotland as ““Third Scotland”” and likening us to Bosnia, Iran, North Korea and the Gaza strip? Does he know which wee, sleekit, cow'rin', tim'rous beastie made that speech?
Answer
I do, actually. First, may I wish my hon. Friend and all Scots well for Burns day and Burns night? Secondly, may I point out that, since the Government came to power, there are about 200,000 more people in work in Scotland, unemployment is down by a third, employment is at its highest level since records began, and over half a million people have been lifted from absolute poverty in Scotland? The Scottish economy is thriving. There is investment in the public services and poverty is getting better, not worse.