:00:00. > :00:14.Order order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern
:00:15. > :00:21.Ireland Mr Jake Berry. Number one please Mr Speaker. Thank you and
:00:22. > :00:24.good morning Mr Speaker last week the Secretary of State and I've met
:00:25. > :00:27.the parties to review the limitation of the Stormont house and crashed
:00:28. > :00:31.agreement and the economic pact. Commitments within these include
:00:32. > :00:37.evolving corporation tax, rate-setting powers of sustainable,
:00:38. > :00:43.this has the potential to have a truly transformational impact on the
:00:44. > :00:46.local economy. I thank my honourable friend for that answer and I
:00:47. > :00:50.congratulate the ministerial team of the Department for the success in
:00:51. > :00:55.the creation of the economic pact which has direct impact on Northern
:00:56. > :00:58.Ireland. Can the Minister told the House what further steps can be
:00:59. > :01:03.taken to ensure that the executive remains focused on how it can to
:01:04. > :01:07.live in those objectives? Can I thank my honourable friend for the
:01:08. > :01:09.question. The best thing we can do is celebrate that under the recent
:01:10. > :01:18.spending review the Chancellor put in place measures to see a rise by
:01:19. > :01:22.20-21 A 12% rise in real terms of funding of liberal capital projects
:01:23. > :01:28.which means over ?600 million more available than if we have frozen the
:01:29. > :01:31.funding at 2015-16. That is good news for the infrastructure of
:01:32. > :01:35.Northern Ireland and will hopefully mean things like the a five and the
:01:36. > :01:38.ASICs will progress and we can open up Northern Ireland for more foreign
:01:39. > :01:44.investment. -- the a five and the ASICs. Because the Minister agree
:01:45. > :01:47.with the trade union movement that the UK's exit from the European
:01:48. > :01:53.Union will be damaging to economic development in Northern Ireland? And
:01:54. > :02:02.does he, does he encourage the Secretary of State to argue for a
:02:03. > :02:08.yes vote in the European exit? Mr Speaker I think there's a temptation
:02:09. > :02:13.in front of me. I think what I would say is certainly up-to-date, met
:02:14. > :02:19.Tilley mac membership of the European Union has been good for
:02:20. > :02:21.Northern Ireland and supports the effort to reform. A reformed
:02:22. > :02:26.European Union is where the United Kingdom wants to be, one that works
:02:27. > :02:29.for the benefit of the United Kingdom and if we can achieve that
:02:30. > :02:32.we can take advantage of being neighbours of Ireland, one of the
:02:33. > :02:35.biggest economic partners of Northern Ireland to make sure the
:02:36. > :02:41.coming though some strength to strength. Later this week I will
:02:42. > :02:46.have the pleasure of visiting royal Portrush golf course in Ireland
:02:47. > :02:51.which has been awarded the 2019 open golf championship for the first time
:02:52. > :02:54.since 1951. But the Minister agree that this is a tremendous
:02:55. > :02:59.achievement and opportunity for Northern Ireland and will he work
:03:00. > :03:05.closely with the executive and ADB golf club to show a similar success
:03:06. > :03:10.in Scotland last year which brought a into the economy? Thank you Mr
:03:11. > :03:18.Speaker. I am struck by how much effort Northern Ireland has made in
:03:19. > :03:23.trying to I suppose secure more than Ireland's is becoming the new home
:03:24. > :03:26.of golf. The marketing and promotion of golf courses in Northern Ireland
:03:27. > :03:33.is a Rostron. I know the Scottish Nasa list are insecure about
:03:34. > :03:37.anything -- nationalists. What is good for Northern Ireland and golf
:03:38. > :03:40.is us are good for golf in Scotland and it will go from strength to
:03:41. > :03:44.strength and these major sporting events, whether in horse racing or
:03:45. > :03:51.golf, brings in real money into the economy today. The chairman wishes
:03:52. > :03:55.to undertake a practical inspection of the course. Thank you Mr Speaker,
:03:56. > :04:01.I'm sure we look forward to visiting the opening 2019. Further to the
:04:02. > :04:09.answer he gave on infrastructure, will the Minister undertake to speak
:04:10. > :04:12.to the infrastructure commission and colleagues about linkages between
:04:13. > :04:17.Northern Ireland transport wise and the rest of the UK? This is an
:04:18. > :04:22.important issue in the development of the economy and spending is
:04:23. > :04:29.vitally important and this would be a very very good way to ensure that
:04:30. > :04:33.more investment comes. Myself and my right honourable friend are
:04:34. > :04:35.determined that the air links are maintained and we have both in the
:04:36. > :04:39.last two months had come the stations with British Airways for
:04:40. > :04:42.example when they have purchased Aer Lingus to ensure there is no
:04:43. > :04:47.degrading of the services provided to people from both the main airport
:04:48. > :04:50.in Northern Ireland and I think that is something we will work very hard
:04:51. > :04:55.and in partnership with the executive to maintain. We should
:04:56. > :04:58.also maintain the figures are tremendous least successful. It is
:04:59. > :05:04.the eighth successive month of growth according to the Ulster bank
:05:05. > :05:08.PM. Over the year the claimant count is down 11,000 in Northern Ireland,
:05:09. > :05:13.a fall of 22.1% outstripping the rest of the United Kingdom. I
:05:14. > :05:18.welcome that needs an page in the two colleagues in the Northern
:05:19. > :05:20.Ireland executive work for the excellent work going on in the
:05:21. > :05:23.economy and the commitment for the new First Minister to make the
:05:24. > :05:30.economy and grow the economy the first priority. Will the Minister
:05:31. > :05:33.perhaps update the House that the Secretary of State and took to speak
:05:34. > :05:36.to the Chancellor about the Northern powerhouse and linking Northern
:05:37. > :05:40.Ireland into that, I think that is a very important initiative and I
:05:41. > :05:46.welcome any news of progress on that front. As the honourable member
:05:47. > :05:51.points out my right honourable friend has spoken to the Chancellor
:05:52. > :05:54.and he is looking at this as we speak. I support this as a
:05:55. > :05:58.Lancashire MP the links we have two the West and the Isle of Man the
:05:59. > :06:03.ferry at the Asian for example is very important. I think we can work
:06:04. > :06:09.to our mutual advantage on the Northern powerhouse. Further to the
:06:10. > :06:16.question raised with the Minister care to comment by the study an
:06:17. > :06:19.Irish thing can't which says that a British exit could reduce bilateral
:06:20. > :06:26.trade flows from the UK and Ireland by some 20% and the impact is more
:06:27. > :06:26.likely to be significant for Northern Ireland exporters to
:06:27. > :06:42.Ireland. But the answer is no. Mr Speaker at the Minister said
:06:43. > :06:45.that, the Minister will know the real concern in Northern Ireland by
:06:46. > :06:49.the impact on withdrawal from the European Union, of trade investment
:06:50. > :06:54.and funding, other members have mentioned this, and Emre Can Mick
:06:55. > :07:00.and social report at the end of 2015 said a British exit -- and economic
:07:01. > :07:06.and social report said that British exit would be disastrous. I have
:07:07. > :07:11.discussions with ministers and indeed ministers in the sight of
:07:12. > :07:15.Ireland and of course, an economic free zone that we are part in the EU
:07:16. > :07:21.is important to our and certainly not only in England and Ireland the
:07:22. > :07:24.ability for 34,000 businesses in Northern Ireland to trade without
:07:25. > :07:31.barriers across the border of the South is worried important to
:07:32. > :07:34.Ireland. That is why the Prime Minister wants to see a reformed EU
:07:35. > :07:39.and Britain to remain in a reformed EU. The first thing we can do is
:07:40. > :07:41.wait to see what those reforms are. The Minister will know there are
:07:42. > :07:47.very serious concerns about the possible British exit, Imp
:07:48. > :07:54.particular because it is the only part of the UK with a land border
:07:55. > :07:58.with an EU country. -- input signal. Can the Minister reassure the
:07:59. > :08:01.executives and the people of Northern Ireland of the mixed
:08:02. > :08:04.messages on the British exit emanating from the ministerial team
:08:05. > :08:12.in particular his views as opposed to the Secretary of State? First of
:08:13. > :08:19.all the Rizla mixed message, like myself and my right honourable
:08:20. > :08:22.friend are key for the E -- EU and when those reforms and maybe the
:08:23. > :08:27.honourable member knows what those reforms will agree, maybe he has a
:08:28. > :08:30.special hotline but when those reforms are presented to the south,
:08:31. > :08:34.then we will be up to make a decision. For my part I believe in
:08:35. > :08:42.the past and membership has been good for Northern Ireland. Question
:08:43. > :08:45.number two. The cross-party talks in 2014 and 15 have brought us closer
:08:46. > :08:49.than ever to consensus on the best way to deal with the legacy of
:08:50. > :08:52.Northern Ireland's past. I'll be working with the parties and
:08:53. > :08:56.representatives of victims and survivors and with the Irish
:08:57. > :08:58.government try to build the support needed to enable legislation to be
:08:59. > :09:06.brought forward to establish the bodies envisaged by the store bought
:09:07. > :09:12.house agreement. Murdered by the provisional IRA, Ian Gallagher was
:09:13. > :09:16.remembered last year at a public speaking competition organised in my
:09:17. > :09:20.home constituency that we might remember and celebrate his life and
:09:21. > :09:23.legacy, his courage and conviction, can I asked my right honourable
:09:24. > :09:27.friend what steps she is taking with schools in Northern Ireland to deal
:09:28. > :09:33.the legacy of the past and to bring about change in community relations?
:09:34. > :09:37.Her predecessor was a great parliamentarian and I'm sure the
:09:38. > :09:42.whole house will join her in thinking sadly of the atrocity that
:09:43. > :09:45.led to his death. The UK Government strongly supports the programme is
:09:46. > :09:49.taking part in Northern Ireland designed to build a shared society,
:09:50. > :09:56.many impact on schools and colleges and it is vital that we do all we
:09:57. > :10:00.can to break down divisions of the parser that sectarianism becomes
:10:01. > :10:03.entirely a thing of the past in Northern Ireland as a way to address
:10:04. > :10:10.the remaining difficulties faced in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of
:10:11. > :10:13.State will be aware that there were no agreement sadly on how we move
:10:14. > :10:18.the legacy issue forward. But there is money that has been set aside,
:10:19. > :10:23.particularly for the proposed historical investigations unit. We
:10:24. > :10:26.have 2000 unsolved murders in Northern Ireland, can the Secretary
:10:27. > :10:32.of State make some of that extra is also available to the PSI's legacy
:10:33. > :10:34.unit to ensure they can re-examine some cases which are pressing with
:10:35. > :10:41.people getting older and they deserve justice. As he points out
:10:42. > :10:44.the UK Government is committed significant sums to support dealing
:10:45. > :10:52.with the legacy of the past as we have in relation to shared society
:10:53. > :10:59.projects. Our starting point is that 150 million is for new bodies like
:11:00. > :11:04.the ICL are. Remain open to dialogue on whether it would be possible to
:11:05. > :11:14.use any money in advance. But it is vital.
:11:15. > :11:20.Can the right honourable lady update the House on what is happening to
:11:21. > :11:22.soldier Jay and other former soldiers who are involved in events
:11:23. > :11:24.in Londonderry on the 30th of January 1972 and tell us whether
:11:25. > :11:27.they continue to face prosecution? And can impress my right honourable
:11:28. > :11:30.friend that this is not simply a matter for the judicial authorities.
:11:31. > :11:34.This is a matter for her, it is a matter of public policy because it
:11:35. > :11:37.is contrary to the interests of national justice men who have served
:11:38. > :11:43.their country should still, 44 years on, be facing possible prosecution.
:11:44. > :11:47.I fully appreciate his Kraken CERN -- his grave concerns about this
:11:48. > :11:51.case but he will appreciate that matters relating to police
:11:52. > :11:54.investigations and prosecutions are taken independently of politicians.
:11:55. > :12:03.My understanding is that that investigation continues. Referring
:12:04. > :12:07.to the Secretary of State's earlier answer, I have to say that it is all
:12:08. > :12:13.very well, and I don't for a minute, as does no one in this House, doubt
:12:14. > :12:17.her good intentions, but when will we actually be hearing some dates,
:12:18. > :12:19.some details? When will the legislation she refers to actually
:12:20. > :12:23.be brought to the floor of the House? Particularly in those aspects
:12:24. > :12:30.of fresh start, where there is agreement. How long must the victims
:12:31. > :12:36.continue to wait? We hope to bring foreign legislation fairly soon. --
:12:37. > :12:40.bring forward legislation fairly soon and those aspects that have
:12:41. > :12:44.been agreed. The timing is less certain elation to the legacy bodies
:12:45. > :12:50.because we were not able to build a consensus now necessary for
:12:51. > :12:54.legislation. A key issues still to resolve is the way the veto in
:12:55. > :13:00.relation to the national-security will operate. I'm determined to work
:13:01. > :13:03.with all sides. We have to protect our national security interests or
:13:04. > :13:08.we will do all we can to ensure that veto is expressed fairly in all
:13:09. > :13:11.circumstances. As well as asking the Secretary of State to re-calibrate
:13:12. > :13:17.her fixation on the national-security issue, can I also
:13:18. > :13:23.ask concede you -- consider using the time for pre-qualities of
:13:24. > :13:27.legislation when it comes forward? I think it is important to use this
:13:28. > :13:32.period constructively to engage with Victors' groups in particular. I've
:13:33. > :13:37.had useful discussions with the Victors' Commissioner. We will be
:13:38. > :13:41.considering in June of course whether publication of the documents
:13:42. > :13:55.as appropriate. It is vital that we press ahead and get this sorted. Mr
:13:56. > :14:00.Speaker, the fresh start agreement reaffirmed the government's support
:14:01. > :14:03.for the devolution of tax powers so long as the Executive is able to
:14:04. > :14:09.demonstrate that its finances on a long-term sustainable footing. I
:14:10. > :14:15.thank her for that answer. As well as tens of thousands of additional
:14:16. > :14:17.jobs, increased output over the medium and long-term, we must not
:14:18. > :14:26.that opportunity. Does she agree with me? I fully agree that the
:14:27. > :14:30.devolution of corporation tax to Northern Ireland provides huge
:14:31. > :14:34.opportunities to attract new business, to attract inward
:14:35. > :14:37.investment and to boost the economy. She is right, though, that it needs
:14:38. > :14:46.to be accompanied by broader economic reform, such as aids focus
:14:47. > :14:48.on skills, universities etc. Whilst the devolution of corporation tax
:14:49. > :14:52.will be important in growing the Northern Ireland economy, would she
:14:53. > :14:56.agree that a vote to leave the EU would help the Northern Ireland
:14:57. > :15:01.economy insofar as it would release ?18 billion every year for
:15:02. > :15:06.expenditure on public services, would enable us to enter trade
:15:07. > :15:11.agreements with growing parts of the world and would release us from the
:15:12. > :15:13.stifling democracy of Europe? I'm afraid the honourable member is
:15:14. > :15:16.tempting me to engage in arguments which are rightly a matter for
:15:17. > :15:20.everyone in this country when they get to vote on that referendum. We
:15:21. > :15:28.promised a referendum in our manifesto and that's what we're
:15:29. > :15:31.going to deliver. Thank you. Does the Secretary of State agree with me
:15:32. > :15:36.that existing cuts and then further cuts to university funding will
:15:37. > :15:39.result in a significant production in suitably qualified graduates as
:15:40. > :15:43.employees for the inward investment companies that we're trying to
:15:44. > :15:48.attract? Will that not frustrate much of the benefit expected for the
:15:49. > :15:51.reduction of corporation tax? There is no doubt that the Northern
:15:52. > :15:56.Ireland Executive faces difficult decisions, as all governments do, in
:15:57. > :16:00.a time when budgets are constrained. I believe it is important to focus
:16:01. > :16:03.on these crucial economic areas like skills, universities and
:16:04. > :16:07.infrastructure but maybe there is a real debate to be had about the way
:16:08. > :16:10.higher education is funded in Northern Ireland but that, of
:16:11. > :16:18.course, is a devolved matter for the devolved representatives. Number
:16:19. > :16:21.four, Mr Speaker. With permission, I will answer questions four and five
:16:22. > :16:24.together. Along with the Irish government and the Northern Ireland
:16:25. > :16:27.Executive, the UK government recently announced the creation of a
:16:28. > :16:33.joint agency task force to track all cross jurisdiction crime. This will
:16:34. > :16:39.enhance law enforcement cooperation, including in relation to crime link
:16:40. > :16:42.to paramilitaries. Can I welcome the announcement by my right robber
:16:43. > :16:45.friend to do with the joint Task Force but could my right honourable
:16:46. > :16:50.friend just confirmed that the fresh start agreement also contains
:16:51. > :17:00.additional funding from the United Kingdom government to help tackle
:17:01. > :17:05.continuing paramilitary activity? It does. The sum allocated is 25
:17:06. > :17:12.million on tackling related crime, 3 million on a new monitoring body,
:17:13. > :17:15.but it also provides a substantial funding for more widely based shared
:17:16. > :17:18.society initiatives which are crucial to ending the influence of
:17:19. > :17:22.paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. We all know that
:17:23. > :17:29.unfortunately many organised crime groups are in Ireland and take
:17:30. > :17:33.advantage of the land border and commit the classic cross-border
:17:34. > :17:38.crimes of smuggling and excise evasion. Often the proceeds of those
:17:39. > :17:42.activities go towards funding dissident groups. Whatever it is my
:17:43. > :17:44.right honourable friend at the ministerial team taking to introduce
:17:45. > :17:53.preventative measures to eradicate such activities? -- what efforts is
:17:54. > :17:57.my right elbow friend. There are huge efforts to prevent the border
:17:58. > :18:01.being exploited by criminals. That will be enhanced by the new joint
:18:02. > :18:04.agency task force, building on the excellent work already done by the
:18:05. > :18:11.police service is both north and south of the border on this in
:18:12. > :18:15.recent years. I'm wondering how concerned the Secretary of State is
:18:16. > :18:17.at the lack of convictions for fuel smuggling and particularly fuel
:18:18. > :18:22.laundering in Northern Ireland and the border regions. Everyone would
:18:23. > :18:29.like to see more convictions on this. I think an aspect of the fresh
:18:30. > :18:34.start agreement which is crucial here is the commitment by the
:18:35. > :18:38.Executive to measures which will speed up the time it takes to bring
:18:39. > :18:41.people to trial. One is more likely to get a conviction if trials take
:18:42. > :18:46.place in a timely way. But as a crucial part of the Fresh Start
:18:47. > :18:49.agreement and I'm sure its invitation will be taken very
:18:50. > :18:51.seriously. This is a very serious discussion of cross-border crime in
:18:52. > :18:58.Northern Ireland. We must hear Lady Hermon. Thank you very much indeed.
:18:59. > :19:02.The Secretary of State in deed will know that the Treasury has already
:19:03. > :19:07.announced the closure of a number of HMRC offices across Northern
:19:08. > :19:11.Ireland. Since HMRC does a very valiant job in tackling cross-border
:19:12. > :19:13.crime, what guarantees come Secretary of State give the people
:19:14. > :19:21.of Northern Ireland that those efforts will not be reduced if those
:19:22. > :19:24.offices are closed? I'm confident that the changes in relation to HMRC
:19:25. > :19:29.offices will not affect the ability of HMRC to tackle cross-border
:19:30. > :19:33.crime. We are going to have an enhanced effort on these matters,
:19:34. > :19:38.not least because, as my honourable friend pointed out on this side of
:19:39. > :19:44.the House, the proceeds of that kind of crime can end up in the hands of
:19:45. > :19:47.terrorists. Question six. The Secretary of State and I have
:19:48. > :19:52.regular discussions with Treasury ministers including the Chancellor
:19:53. > :19:56.in relation to a VAT cut for the tour and hospital sectors. The
:19:57. > :19:59.government has concluded that a VAT cut could not produce sufficient
:20:00. > :20:03.economic growth to outweigh the revenue shortfall. A VAT cut would
:20:04. > :20:06.need to be funded either by additional borrowing or raising
:20:07. > :20:13.other taxes, both of which are likely to have a negative effect on
:20:14. > :20:16.the economy. The case was successfully made for corporation
:20:17. > :20:21.tax and rightly so to attract investment in Northern Ireland.
:20:22. > :20:24.Surely a case could be made for tourism and hospitality in Northern
:20:25. > :20:32.Ireland to reduce VAT, especially when it comes to the Gulf clubs,
:20:33. > :20:35.where there is an anomaly. -- Gulf. I doubt they're many people in this
:20:36. > :20:39.House that would like to see a reduction in the tax burden because
:20:40. > :20:42.of our long-term economic plan and perhaps lifting the burden on
:20:43. > :20:47.businesses elsewhere, such as the small business rate relief that is
:20:48. > :20:50.also available in Northern Ireland, the corporation tax cut, the
:20:51. > :20:54.freezing of NI contributions, we hope that at least on tourism
:20:55. > :20:57.businesses in the hospitality sector, the cost of employing people
:20:58. > :21:01.and the other burdens can be lifted and their formate their prices more
:21:02. > :21:11.competitive to encourage more people to take up the great offerings of
:21:12. > :21:17.tourism in Northern Ireland. Would he perhaps look at discussions
:21:18. > :21:22.around the threshold, which might help small tourism businesses across
:21:23. > :21:31.the UK and Northern Ireland? I wanted to hear Mr Foster's thoughts
:21:32. > :21:34.on VAT injuries and hospitality. We will try again, Mr Speaker, thank
:21:35. > :21:38.you. I heard what the Minister said about the rate of VAT. Would he
:21:39. > :21:42.think it might be worth having a discussion around the threshold,
:21:43. > :21:45.which might help small businesses in the hospitality sector in Northern
:21:46. > :21:49.Ireland and the rest of the UK? I think you mix a very good point. I
:21:50. > :21:53.will certainly write to the Chancellor and make his points clear
:21:54. > :22:00.to him. Number seven, please, Mr Speaker. We have had no discussions
:22:01. > :22:05.with the Northern Ireland Executive on the adequacy of women's access to
:22:06. > :22:07.sexual health services. The department officials discuss sexual
:22:08. > :22:11.health services with their counterparts on the Northern Ireland
:22:12. > :22:13.departments as appropriate. Sexual health advice and services in
:22:14. > :22:18.Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. The Minister will be aware
:22:19. > :22:23.that women in Northern Ireland can and do travel to England for
:22:24. > :22:27.abortions on the NHS. However, they can't access NHS abortions that have
:22:28. > :22:31.to pay to go privately. Does he agree with me that there is an
:22:32. > :22:36.inequality issue between women in Northern Ireland and women who live
:22:37. > :22:39.in England? The honourable member points out a very interesting
:22:40. > :22:44.anomaly and I have asked by officials to provide clarity. I do
:22:45. > :22:46.know there is a court case pending or before the courts in Northern
:22:47. > :22:50.Ireland on that very issue and I think it's very important we get to
:22:51. > :22:54.the bottom of the differences between living in one part of the UK
:22:55. > :22:59.and another and what NHS services are available to those people. In
:23:00. > :23:08.the last 11 years, Northern Ireland has seen a 47% increase in new cases
:23:09. > :23:11.of HIV while in the mainland it has fallen by 20%. The same thing
:23:12. > :23:14.applies to other sexually transmitted diseases. Could I ask
:23:15. > :23:17.the Minister what discussions he has had all will have with the health
:23:18. > :23:22.ministers here in the mainland and in Northern Ireland to ensure that
:23:23. > :23:27.there is a process to address it? I'm very happy to have discussions
:23:28. > :23:32.with UK ministers on that subject and will write to the counterpart in
:23:33. > :23:36.the Executive to make sure that we are doing our fair share and so is
:23:37. > :23:42.the user heat of making sure we rent the spread of sexual transmitted
:23:43. > :23:46.diseases. -- prevent. We continue to work with the
:23:47. > :23:49.Executive towards rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy, including
:23:50. > :23:56.collaboration on exports. Northern Ireland exports were valued at 1.62
:23:57. > :24:01.billion, the highest quarterly value since 2008. Penchee confirm the
:24:02. > :24:04.government will continue supporting stronger trade link between
:24:05. > :24:11.Hampshire and Northern Ireland, particularly given the strong
:24:12. > :24:16.maritime condition? Our long-term economic plan is working to boost
:24:17. > :24:20.trade within and outside the United Kingdom, as illustrated by the fact
:24:21. > :24:27.that the claimant count is down again in Northern Ireland, in
:24:28. > :24:33.figures announced to a. -- today. A fall of 40.2% has taken place in the
:24:34. > :24:37.claimant count in Northern Ireland. This morning the enterprise, trade
:24:38. > :24:42.and investment minister in Northern Ireland announced over 50 jobs in my
:24:43. > :24:44.constituency, which is a start in an area of high unemployment, but with
:24:45. > :24:51.the Minister use her influence in the Cabinet to ensure that when
:24:52. > :24:54.there is overseas development visits and trade visits, to ensure that
:24:55. > :24:58.Northern Ireland companies are included to bring inward investment
:24:59. > :25:03.to Northern Ireland? I can certainly do that. It is vitally important
:25:04. > :25:08.that in UKTI's work overseas in terms of bringing investment to the
:25:09. > :25:12.UK that it champions the benefits of investing in Northern Ireland. That
:25:13. > :25:15.is a great place in which to invest. It has a tremendous record in inward
:25:16. > :25:27.investment and the UK government is determined to see that continue. The
:25:28. > :25:30.government's events to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme
:25:31. > :25:36.will be held in Fleetwood, France and Manchester on July the 1st 2016.
:25:37. > :25:39.Other regional events including in Northern Ireland are matter for the
:25:40. > :25:43.regional authorities and local communities. Order. We are
:25:44. > :25:47.discussing an important centre area of the Battle of the Somme. The
:25:48. > :25:55.question from the honourable lady must be heard and so must the
:25:56. > :25:59.answer. Thank you. In 1916, men from 36 Ulster division and the 16th
:26:00. > :26:04.Irish division displayed great courage at the Somme, despite
:26:05. > :26:08.suffering huge casualties of almost 2000 men in the first hours of July
:26:09. > :26:12.the 1st stop does the Secretary of State have any plans to liaise with
:26:13. > :26:17.the government of the Republic of Ireland to commemorate the sacrifice
:26:18. > :26:23.from both sides of the border? The right honourable friend the crime
:26:24. > :26:26.minister has committed to pass mutual respect and understanding. We
:26:27. > :26:30.are working with the ministers and the Irish government to mark the
:26:31. > :26:33.events of this decade. I have discussed these issues with a number
:26:34. > :26:40.of officials and I meet regularly with the culture minister, where we
:26:41. > :26:43.often attend together, both governments, in the numbers of those
:26:44. > :26:47.people that died and I know my right honourable friend the Prime Minister
:26:48. > :26:51.has visited the Somme to remember that and I think it is important to
:26:52. > :26:57.note that both the South and the North had a shared experience and a
:26:58. > :27:01.shared history in the First World War, both of them suffering fighting
:27:02. > :27:08.for the cause of defeating what was then the Kaiser. We're most grateful
:27:09. > :27:15.to him. I'm grateful to the Minister for his response, given some time.
:27:16. > :27:19.As we reflect on the Somme and move towards the centenary of the
:27:20. > :27:24.conclusion of the First World War, could the Secretary of State and the
:27:25. > :27:28.Minister engage across government, to think of a suitable national
:27:29. > :27:33.memorial restoration fund so we can give our cenotaph memorials across
:27:34. > :27:36.this country up to standard? I think he makes a good point and the whole
:27:37. > :27:39.of the government has heard his suggestion. It is important to
:27:40. > :27:45.remember the end as well as the beginning of that tragedy that was
:27:46. > :27:46.the First World War. Order. Questions to the Prime