Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 15 November 2005.
Robert Smith
Opposition Deputy Chief Whip (Commons), Shadow Spokesperson (Business, Innovation and Skills), Shadow Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change), Shadow Spokesperson (Scotland)
2:30,
15 November 2005
The Secretary of State mentioned that the Chancellor was keen on, and supportive of, full employment in Scotland. I should declare my interest in the oil industry, which appears in the Register of Members' Interests. One of the major contributors to the manufacturing economy of Scotland is investment in North sea exploration and production. Will the Secretary of State make it clear to the Chancellor that he must not impose on the North sea a windfall tax or other surprise taxation, which will frighten off the vital investment that is doing so much both for jobs in Scotland and for the security of our energy supply?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The Chancellor - also known as "Chancellor of the Exchequer" is responsible as a Minister for the treasury, and for the country's economy. For Example, the Chancellor set taxes and tax rates. The Chancellor is the only MP allowed to drink Alcohol in the House of Commons; s/he is permitted an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget.
