During a debate on the points-based system for managed migration, Charles Walker questions why Scotland should have greater problems attracting people than the rest of the UK.

Mr. Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): Why does the hon. Gentleman think that Scotland is having so many problems attracting people to live north of the border?

Pete Wishart: We are having those difficulties because we do not have control of our immigration policies. We have an Executive who have made sure that Scottish economic performance is way below that of the rest of the United Kingdom and of similar-sized countries in the rest of Europe. That is why we are having difficulty in acquiring the skilled migrants that we need. We need our own distinct policies to attract people if we are to deal with these problems.

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