Anne Moffat: Does my right hon. Friend share my concern about the ever-increasing exploitation in the construction industry, in which foreign workers are driving wages down and where people are not complying with certain safety regulations. The matter comes up in my surgery on a regular basis. Both foreign and indigenous workers are being exploited by the employers. Do we need stricter regulation?
Anne Moffat: What estimate she has made of the number of convictions for serious crimes which relied on evidence from DNA samples retained on the national DNA database in the last 12 months.
Anne Moffat: Although I am sure that my right hon. Friend agrees that the database is a breakthrough in modern policing in the country, does she also agree that young people, and particularly children, need to be dealt with sensitively?
Anne Moffat: Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware of the article in The Independent today about restaurant owners using the credit crunch as an excuse to ask the Government not to stop the inclusion of tips in the national minimum wage? We fought long and hard to close that loophole, so I hope that she and other members of the Cabinet and the Government do not agree with those restaurant owners, who...
Anne Moffat: What assessment he has made of the level of support to long-term and recently unemployed people in East Lothian constituency.
Anne Moffat: I am sure that the whole House will now want to hear my supplementary question. We currently have quite a good level of employment in East Lothian—over 80 per cent.—but I am concerned about the possibility that unemployment will rise both in East Lothian and in Scotland more widely. The position could be greatly improved if the banks adopted measures allowing them to enable small...
Anne Moffat: The hon. Gentleman makes much of the Prime Minister's position. What does the Leader of the Opposition think about the matter?
Anne Moffat: Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the National Union of Labour and Socialist Clubs is meeting this weekend for its annual conference? That is timely, because of the tax on beer that is affecting our pubs, clubs and communities throughout the country. May we have a debate on the matter?
Anne Moffat: Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to celebrate people who achieve decent skills in any sort of industry—whether the manufacturing, nuclear or construction industries? It is easy to get an academic to give a view on something, but it is difficult to get hold of a skilled plumber to fix the loo. Surely we need to celebrate what those people do.
Anne Moffat: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your advice on whether the frustration that the House has experienced tonight is appropriate. Conservative Members called for a vote and then did not vote—and they did it deliberately in order to delay us from reaching a motion that would allow the youth of the country to debate in this Chamber. What makes their backsides any better than those of the...
Anne Moffat: On planning applications and employment, will the hon. Gentleman comment on the Scottish Executive's refusal to give planning permission for new build in nuclear and thus create jobs in Scotland?
Anne Moffat: They want jobs.
Anne Moffat: As we are talking about apologies and unemployment, will the right hon. Lady take this opportunity to apologise, 25 years after the miners' strike, for the time when a whole industry and thousands of people lost their jobs and their ability to participate in socially acceptable community life?
Anne Moffat: I think that there is no other party in government than Labour that has ever done more to promote women in public life. What I am most concerned about for women is the impact of the economic downturn, which might be leading to an increase in domestic violence. What will the Government do to put in place plans to support women—
Anne Moffat: I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. I am quite sure that he is aware of what is happening within John MacDougall's family. His wife and daughter are very keen to set up a trust, which is supported by our hon. Friend the Member for Glenrothes (Lindsay Roy). who is on another Select Committee and gives his apologies as well. They want to set up a trust fund for all sufferers...
Anne Moffat: I thank my hon. Friend for indulging me once more—I will not test his patience again. Does he agree that there are more health issues related to mesothelioma and pleural plaques? A person who develops pleural plaques sees how many people have developed mesothelioma as a result of pleural plaques, so they think that they will die. That produces the most distressing anxiety for them and their...
Anne Moffat: What steps he plans to take to increase the number of apprenticeships for 16 and 17- year-olds.
Anne Moffat: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, which is in sharp contrast to what is happening in Scotland. Is she aware that third and fourth year time-served apprentices are being laid off in my East Lothian constituency and throughout Scotland, and are unable to complete their training. Does she agree that the Scottish Executive and the First Minister need to prioritise jobs, training and skills...
Anne Moffat: What steps his Department is taking to improve the protection of the marine environment.
Anne Moffat: With reference to the progress of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which represents a sea change, is my right hon. Friend aware of the wonderful coastline in my constituency, starting with a five-star, award-winning seabird centre in North Berwick, which is educational and protective and does all the things that the Government want to do to look after the marine life in the River Forth?