Hansard: Angus Brendan MacNeil on the Arc of Prosperity

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101014/halltext/101014h0001.htm#10101426000219
14 Oct 2010 : Column 151-2WH

Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op): We have just been joined by a SNP Member. Let me tell the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil) that the arc of prosperity is no longer raised as much as it once was, largely because it is no longer there.

Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): Would the hon. Gentleman care to inform hon. Members about unemployment in Norway, Iceland and Ireland relative to the United Kingdom and about the gross domestic product per capita in those countries? If he cannot provide an answer, I will.

Mr Davidson: I look forward to hearing it.

Mr MacNeil: Unemployment in Norway and Iceland is lower than in the UK and unemployment in Ireland is higher, so on unemployment the arc of prosperity beats the UK 2-1. GDP per capita in Norway, Ireland and Iceland is higher than in the UK, so on GDP the arc of prosperity beats the UK 3-0.

Mr Davidson: That is presumably why the SNP no longer mentioned it at all. Ever since Iceland's economy became so bad that part of the island exploded, we have heard little about the arc of prosperity from the SNP.

We went across to Ireland because, like Scotland, it was-[Interruption.]

Mr MacNeil: I hope the hon. Gentleman went to Norway as well.


________________________________