Fuel Costs

The following is the response given by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) relating to a question from the hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie) during the debate on Fuel Costs on 7 February 2011. Stewart Hosie: The hon. Lady has been very generous indeed. She asks us to welcome the actions that the Government have taken in terms of a deficit consolidation plan. I like and respect her, but I will never welcome a £1.3 billion cut to the Scottish budget this year and a £3.2 billion cut to the Scottish block over the next four years. That is the wrong thing to do in terms of stimulating economic growth and growing our way out of the recession. If we could focus on the fuel duty, that would be particularly helpful, unless of course she wants to devolve the duty to Scotland, in which case I would be absolutely delighted as we could take all the right decisions. 15 Feb 2011 : Column 4MC Justine Greening: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be aware of the Goodison review and that the Scotland Bill is passing through Parliament right now. We are making some changes on tax, and I think he will welcome those measures to strengthen the devolution settlement. [Official Report, 7 February 2011, Vol. 523, c. 57.] Letter of correction from Ms Justine Greening: An error has been identified in the answer given to the hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie) during a debate on Fuel Costs on 7 February 2011. The correct answer should have been: Justine Greening: I am sure that the hon. Gentlemen will be aware of the Calman Commission and that the Scotland Bill is passing through Parliament right now. We are making some changes on tax, and I think he will welcome those measures to strengthen the devolution settlement.