Glasgow SNP MSP Bill Kidd has today [Sunday] hit out at the ‘stunning hypocrisy’ of former Scotland Office Minister Anne McKechin.

McKechin, who was Junior Minister in Labour’s Scotland Office this week, asked a question to new Scottish Secretary Michael Moore asking him when funding allocated to Scotland from the fossil fuel levy would be released, despite the fact that the previous Labour Government refused to do so.

Commenting, Mr Kidd said: “The hypocrisy from the Labour is absolutely stunning. They’ve been in power at UK level for 13 years and never once released the funding that is rightly Scotland’s. The really take the voters for fools and believe they won’t notice that they were in power for over a decade!

“Oout of Government however, Ms McKechin is charging the taxpayer £100 for questions she already knows the answer to and could’ve sorted herself when she was in Government.

“There is no doubt that Scotland should have the fossil fuel funds but I really cannot believe the actions by some on the Labour benches. It is nothing but pure opportunistic politics – it should really come as a surprise, but with the Labour nothing really is these days.

“Once again we see how the Labour party can’t be trusted – even in opposition as they hypocritically call for what they had ample time to deliver.

Note:

Ms McKechin’s Questions:

Fossil Fuel Levy

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Chief Secretary to the Treasury on the fossil fuel levy; and what his plans are for the release to Scotland of funding allocated under the scheme. [4456]

Michael Moore: I have had numerous discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The fossil fuel levy issue was raised at the Joint Ministerial Committee Plenary meeting of 8 June 2010. In addition, the Budget of 22 June announced that the Government will review the control and use of accumulated and future revenues from the fossil fuel levy in Scotland.