Live Northern Ireland Questions House of Commons

Order order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern

Ireland Mr Jake Berry. Number one please Mr Speaker. Thank you and

good morning Mr Speaker last week the Secretary of State and I've met

the parties to review the limitation of the Stormont house and crashed

agreement and the economic pact. Commitments within these include

evolving corporation tax, rate-setting powers of sustainable,

this has the potential to have a truly transformational impact on the

local economy. I thank my honourable friend for that answer and I

congratulate the ministerial team of the Department for the success in

the creation of the economic pact which has direct impact on Northern

Ireland. Can the Minister told the House what further steps can be

taken to ensure that the executive remains focused on how it can to

live in those objectives? Can I thank my honourable friend for the

question. The best thing we can do is celebrate that under the recent

spending review the Chancellor put in place measures to see a rise by

20-21 A 12% rise in real terms of funding of liberal capital projects

which means over ?600 million more available than if we have frozen the

funding at 2015-16. That is good news for the infrastructure of

Northern Ireland and will hopefully mean things like the a five and the

ASICs will progress and we can open up Northern Ireland for more foreign

investment. -- the a five and the ASICs. Because the Minister agree

with the trade union movement that the UK's exit from the European

Union will be damaging to economic development in Northern Ireland? And

does he, does he encourage the Secretary of State to argue for a

yes vote in the European exit? Mr Speaker I think there's a temptation

in front of me. I think what I would say is certainly up-to-date, met

Tilley mac membership of the European Union has been good for

Northern Ireland and supports the effort to reform. A reformed

European Union is where the United Kingdom wants to be, one that works

for the benefit of the United Kingdom and if we can achieve that

we can take advantage of being neighbours of Ireland, one of the

biggest economic partners of Northern Ireland to make sure the

coming though some strength to strength. Later this week I will

have the pleasure of visiting royal Portrush golf course in Ireland

which has been awarded the 2019 open golf championship for the first time

since 1951. But the Minister agree that this is a tremendous

achievement and opportunity for Northern Ireland and will he work

closely with the executive and ADB golf club to show a similar success

in Scotland last year which brought a into the economy? Thank you Mr

Speaker. I am struck by how much effort Northern Ireland has made in

trying to I suppose secure more than Ireland's is becoming the new home

of golf. The marketing and promotion of golf courses in Northern Ireland

is a Rostron. I know the Scottish Nasa list are insecure about

anything -- nationalists. What is good for Northern Ireland and golf

is us are good for golf in Scotland and it will go from strength to

strength and these major sporting events, whether in horse racing or

golf, brings in real money into the economy today. The chairman wishes

to undertake a practical inspection of the course. Thank you Mr Speaker,

I'm sure we look forward to visiting the opening 2019. Further to the

answer he gave on infrastructure, will the Minister undertake to speak

to the infrastructure commission and colleagues about linkages between

Northern Ireland transport wise and the rest of the UK? This is an

important issue in the development of the economy and spending is

vitally important and this would be a very very good way to ensure that

more investment comes. Myself and my right honourable friend are

determined that the air links are maintained and we have both in the

last two months had come the stations with British Airways for

example when they have purchased Aer Lingus to ensure there is no

degrading of the services provided to people from both the main airport

in Northern Ireland and I think that is something we will work very hard

and in partnership with the executive to maintain. We should

also maintain the figures are tremendous least successful. It is

the eighth successive month of growth according to the Ulster bank

PM. Over the year the claimant count is down 11,000 in Northern Ireland,

a fall of 22.1% outstripping the rest of the United Kingdom. I

welcome that needs an page in the two colleagues in the Northern

Ireland executive work for the excellent work going on in the

economy and the commitment for the new First Minister to make the

economy and grow the economy the first priority. Will the Minister

perhaps update the House that the Secretary of State and took to speak

to the Chancellor about the Northern powerhouse and linking Northern

Ireland into that, I think that is a very important initiative and I

welcome any news of progress on that front. As the honourable member

points out my right honourable friend has spoken to the Chancellor

and he is looking at this as we speak. I support this as a

Lancashire MP the links we have two the West and the Isle of Man the

ferry at the Asian for example is very important. I think we can work

to our mutual advantage on the Northern powerhouse. Further to the

question raised with the Minister care to comment by the study an

Irish thing can't which says that a British exit could reduce bilateral

trade flows from the UK and Ireland by some 20% and the impact is more

likely to be significant for Northern Ireland exporters to

Ireland. But the answer is no. Mr Speaker at the Minister said

that, the Minister will know the real concern in Northern Ireland by

the impact on withdrawal from the European Union, of trade investment

and funding, other members have mentioned this, and Emre Can Mick

and social report at the end of 2015 said a British exit -- and economic

and social report said that British exit would be disastrous. I have

discussions with ministers and indeed ministers in the sight of

Ireland and of course, an economic free zone that we are part in the EU

is important to our and certainly not only in England and Ireland the

ability for 34,000 businesses in Northern Ireland to trade without

barriers across the border of the South is worried important to

Ireland. That is why the Prime Minister wants to see a reformed EU

and Britain to remain in a reformed EU. The first thing we can do is

wait to see what those reforms are. The Minister will know there are

very serious concerns about the possible British exit, Imp

particular because it is the only part of the UK with a land border

with an EU country. -- input signal. Can the Minister reassure the

executives and the people of Northern Ireland of the mixed

messages on the British exit emanating from the ministerial team

in particular his views as opposed to the Secretary of State? First of

all the Rizla mixed message, like myself and my right honourable

friend are key for the E -- EU and when those reforms and maybe the

honourable member knows what those reforms will agree, maybe he has a

special hotline but when those reforms are presented to the south,

then we will be up to make a decision. For my part I believe in

the past and membership has been good for Northern Ireland. Question

number two. The cross-party talks in 2014 and 15 have brought us closer

than ever to consensus on the best way to deal with the legacy of

Northern Ireland's past. I'll be working with the parties and

representatives of victims and survivors and with the Irish

government try to build the support needed to enable legislation to be

brought forward to establish the bodies envisaged by the store bought

house agreement. Murdered by the provisional IRA, Ian Gallagher was

remembered last year at a public speaking competition organised in my

home constituency that we might remember and celebrate his life and

legacy, his courage and conviction, can I asked my right honourable

friend what steps she is taking with schools in Northern Ireland to deal

the legacy of the past and to bring about change in community relations?

Her predecessor was a great parliamentarian and I'm sure the

whole house will join her in thinking sadly of the atrocity that

led to his death. The UK Government strongly supports the programme is

taking part in Northern Ireland designed to build a shared society,

many impact on schools and colleges and it is vital that we do all we

can to break down divisions of the parser that sectarianism becomes

entirely a thing of the past in Northern Ireland as a way to address

the remaining difficulties faced in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of

State will be aware that there were no agreement sadly on how we move

the legacy issue forward. But there is money that has been set aside,

particularly for the proposed historical investigations unit. We

have 2000 unsolved murders in Northern Ireland, can the Secretary

of State make some of that extra is also available to the PSI's legacy

unit to ensure they can re-examine some cases which are pressing with

people getting older and they deserve justice. As he points out

the UK Government is committed significant sums to support dealing

with the legacy of the past as we have in relation to shared society

projects. Our starting point is that 150 million is for new bodies like

the ICL are. Remain open to dialogue on whether it would be possible to

use any money in advance. But it is vital.

Can the right honourable lady update the House on what is happening to

soldier Jay and other former soldiers who are involved in events

in Londonderry on the 30th of January 1972 and tell us whether

they continue to face prosecution? And can impress my right honourable

friend that this is not simply a matter for the judicial authorities.

This is a matter for her, it is a matter of public policy because it

is contrary to the interests of national justice men who have served

their country should still, 44 years on, be facing possible prosecution.

I fully appreciate his Kraken CERN -- his grave concerns about this

case but he will appreciate that matters relating to police

investigations and prosecutions are taken independently of politicians.

My understanding is that that investigation continues. Referring

to the Secretary of State's earlier answer, I have to say that it is all

very well, and I don't for a minute, as does no one in this House, doubt

her good intentions, but when will we actually be hearing some dates,

some details? When will the legislation she refers to actually

be brought to the floor of the House? Particularly in those aspects

of fresh start, where there is agreement. How long must the victims

continue to wait? We hope to bring foreign legislation fairly soon. --

bring forward legislation fairly soon and those aspects that have

been agreed. The timing is less certain elation to the legacy bodies

because we were not able to build a consensus now necessary for

legislation. A key issues still to resolve is the way the veto in

relation to the national-security will operate. I'm determined to work

with all sides. We have to protect our national security interests or

we will do all we can to ensure that veto is expressed fairly in all

circumstances. As well as asking the Secretary of State to re-calibrate

her fixation on the national-security issue, can I also

ask concede you -- consider using the time for pre-qualities of

legislation when it comes forward? I think it is important to use this

period constructively to engage with Victors' groups in particular. I've

had useful discussions with the Victors' Commissioner. We will be

considering in June of course whether publication of the documents

as appropriate. It is vital that we press ahead and get this sorted. Mr

Speaker, the fresh start agreement reaffirmed the government's support

for the devolution of tax powers so long as the Executive is able to

demonstrate that its finances on a long-term sustainable footing. I

thank her for that answer. As well as tens of thousands of additional

jobs, increased output over the medium and long-term, we must not

that opportunity. Does she agree with me? I fully agree that the

devolution of corporation tax to Northern Ireland provides huge

opportunities to attract new business, to attract inward

investment and to boost the economy. She is right, though, that it needs

to be accompanied by broader economic reform, such as aids focus

on skills, universities etc. Whilst the devolution of corporation tax

will be important in growing the Northern Ireland economy, would she

agree that a vote to leave the EU would help the Northern Ireland

economy insofar as it would release ?18 billion every year for

expenditure on public services, would enable us to enter trade

agreements with growing parts of the world and would release us from the

stifling democracy of Europe? I'm afraid the honourable member is

tempting me to engage in arguments which are rightly a matter for

everyone in this country when they get to vote on that referendum. We

promised a referendum in our manifesto and that's what we're

going to deliver. Thank you. Does the Secretary of State agree with me

that existing cuts and then further cuts to university funding will

result in a significant production in suitably qualified graduates as

employees for the inward investment companies that we're trying to

attract? Will that not frustrate much of the benefit expected for the

reduction of corporation tax? There is no doubt that the Northern

Ireland Executive faces difficult decisions, as all governments do, in

a time when budgets are constrained. I believe it is important to focus

on these crucial economic areas like skills, universities and

infrastructure but maybe there is a real debate to be had about the way

higher education is funded in Northern Ireland but that, of

course, is a devolved matter for the devolved representatives. Number

four, Mr Speaker. With permission, I will answer questions four and five

together. Along with the Irish government and the Northern Ireland

Executive, the UK government recently announced the creation of a

joint agency task force to track all cross jurisdiction crime. This will

enhance law enforcement cooperation, including in relation to crime link

to paramilitaries. Can I welcome the announcement by my right robber

friend to do with the joint Task Force but could my right honourable

friend just confirmed that the fresh start agreement also contains

additional funding from the United Kingdom government to help tackle

continuing paramilitary activity? It does. The sum allocated is 25

million on tackling related crime, 3 million on a new monitoring body,

but it also provides a substantial funding for more widely based shared

society initiatives which are crucial to ending the influence of

paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. We all know that

unfortunately many organised crime groups are in Ireland and take

advantage of the land border and commit the classic cross-border

crimes of smuggling and excise evasion. Often the proceeds of those

activities go towards funding dissident groups. Whatever it is my

right honourable friend at the ministerial team taking to introduce

preventative measures to eradicate such activities? -- what efforts is

my right elbow friend. There are huge efforts to prevent the border

being exploited by criminals. That will be enhanced by the new joint

agency task force, building on the excellent work already done by the

police service is both north and south of the border on this in

recent years. I'm wondering how concerned the Secretary of State is

at the lack of convictions for fuel smuggling and particularly fuel

laundering in Northern Ireland and the border regions. Everyone would

like to see more convictions on this. I think an aspect of the fresh

start agreement which is crucial here is the commitment by the

Executive to measures which will speed up the time it takes to bring

people to trial. One is more likely to get a conviction if trials take

place in a timely way. But as a crucial part of the Fresh Start

agreement and I'm sure its invitation will be taken very

seriously. This is a very serious discussion of cross-border crime in

Northern Ireland. We must hear Lady Hermon. Thank you very much indeed.

The Secretary of State in deed will know that the Treasury has already

announced the closure of a number of HMRC offices across Northern

Ireland. Since HMRC does a very valiant job in tackling cross-border

crime, what guarantees come Secretary of State give the people

of Northern Ireland that those efforts will not be reduced if those

offices are closed? I'm confident that the changes in relation to HMRC

offices will not affect the ability of HMRC to tackle cross-border

crime. We are going to have an enhanced effort on these matters,

not least because, as my honourable friend pointed out on this side of

the House, the proceeds of that kind of crime can end up in the hands of

terrorists. Question six. The Secretary of State and I have

regular discussions with Treasury ministers including the Chancellor

in relation to a VAT cut for the tour and hospital sectors. The

government has concluded that a VAT cut could not produce sufficient

economic growth to outweigh the revenue shortfall. A VAT cut would

need to be funded either by additional borrowing or raising

other taxes, both of which are likely to have a negative effect on

the economy. The case was successfully made for corporation

tax and rightly so to attract investment in Northern Ireland.

Surely a case could be made for tourism and hospitality in Northern

Ireland to reduce VAT, especially when it comes to the Gulf clubs,

where there is an anomaly. -- Gulf. I doubt they're many people in this

House that would like to see a reduction in the tax burden because

of our long-term economic plan and perhaps lifting the burden on

businesses elsewhere, such as the small business rate relief that is

also available in Northern Ireland, the corporation tax cut, the

freezing of NI contributions, we hope that at least on tourism

businesses in the hospitality sector, the cost of employing people

and the other burdens can be lifted and their formate their prices more

competitive to encourage more people to take up the great offerings of

tourism in Northern Ireland. Would he perhaps look at discussions

around the threshold, which might help small tourism businesses across

the UK and Northern Ireland? I wanted to hear Mr Foster's thoughts

on VAT injuries and hospitality. We will try again, Mr Speaker, thank

you. I heard what the Minister said about the rate of VAT. Would he

think it might be worth having a discussion around the threshold,

which might help small businesses in the hospitality sector in Northern

Ireland and the rest of the UK? I think you mix a very good point. I

will certainly write to the Chancellor and make his points clear

to him. Number seven, please, Mr Speaker. We have had no discussions

with the Northern Ireland Executive on the adequacy of women's access to

sexual health services. The department officials discuss sexual

health services with their counterparts on the Northern Ireland

departments as appropriate. Sexual health advice and services in

Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. The Minister will be aware

that women in Northern Ireland can and do travel to England for

abortions on the NHS. However, they can't access NHS abortions that have

to pay to go privately. Does he agree with me that there is an

inequality issue between women in Northern Ireland and women who live

in England? The honourable member points out a very interesting

anomaly and I have asked by officials to provide clarity. I do

know there is a court case pending or before the courts in Northern

Ireland on that very issue and I think it's very important we get to

the bottom of the differences between living in one part of the UK

and another and what NHS services are available to those people. In

the last 11 years, Northern Ireland has seen a 47% increase in new cases

of HIV while in the mainland it has fallen by 20%. The same thing

applies to other sexually transmitted diseases. Could I ask

the Minister what discussions he has had all will have with the health

ministers here in the mainland and in Northern Ireland to ensure that

there is a process to address it? I'm very happy to have discussions

with UK ministers on that subject and will write to the counterpart in

the Executive to make sure that we are doing our fair share and so is

the user heat of making sure we rent the spread of sexual transmitted

diseases. -- prevent. We continue to work with the

Executive towards rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy, including

collaboration on exports. Northern Ireland exports were valued at 1.62

billion, the highest quarterly value since 2008. Penchee confirm the

government will continue supporting stronger trade link between

Hampshire and Northern Ireland, particularly given the strong

maritime condition? Our long-term economic plan is working to boost

trade within and outside the United Kingdom, as illustrated by the fact

that the claimant count is down again in Northern Ireland, in

figures announced to a. -- today. A fall of 40.2% has taken place in the

claimant count in Northern Ireland. This morning the enterprise, trade

and investment minister in Northern Ireland announced over 50 jobs in my

constituency, which is a start in an area of high unemployment, but with

the Minister use her influence in the Cabinet to ensure that when

there is overseas development visits and trade visits, to ensure that

Northern Ireland companies are included to bring inward investment

to Northern Ireland? I can certainly do that. It is vitally important

that in UKTI's work overseas in terms of bringing investment to the

UK that it champions the benefits of investing in Northern Ireland. That

is a great place in which to invest. It has a tremendous record in inward

investment and the UK government is determined to see that continue. The

government's events to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme

will be held in Fleetwood, France and Manchester on July the 1st 2016.

Other regional events including in Northern Ireland are matter for the

regional authorities and local communities. Order. We are

discussing an important centre area of the Battle of the Somme. The

question from the honourable lady must be heard and so must the

answer. Thank you. In 1916, men from 36 Ulster division and the 16th

Irish division displayed great courage at the Somme, despite

suffering huge casualties of almost 2000 men in the first hours of July

the 1st stop does the Secretary of State have any plans to liaise with

the government of the Republic of Ireland to commemorate the sacrifice

from both sides of the border? The right honourable friend the crime

minister has committed to pass mutual respect and understanding. We

are working with the ministers and the Irish government to mark the

events of this decade. I have discussed these issues with a number

of officials and I meet regularly with the culture minister, where we

often attend together, both governments, in the numbers of those

people that died and I know my right honourable friend the Prime Minister

has visited the Somme to remember that and I think it is important to

note that both the South and the North had a shared experience and a

shared history in the First World War, both of them suffering fighting

for the cause of defeating what was then the Kaiser. We're most grateful

to him. I'm grateful to the Minister for his response, given some time.

As we reflect on the Somme and move towards the centenary of the

conclusion of the First World War, could the Secretary of State and the

Minister engage across government, to think of a suitable national

memorial restoration fund so we can give our cenotaph memorials across

this country up to standard? I think he makes a good point and the whole

of the government has heard his suggestion. It is important to

remember the end as well as the beginning of that tragedy that was

the First World War. Order. Questions to the Prime