:00:00. > :00:00.but first, questions to the music to protect from us in Ireland, James
:00:00. > :00:14.Brokenshire. -- to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
:00:15. > :00:23.Order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr David
:00:24. > :00:28.Simpson. Number one. Mr Spe`ker can I say what a privilege it is to have
:00:29. > :00:33.been appointed as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland `nd in
:00:34. > :00:36.that regard, can I pay tribtte to the work of my predecessor, the
:00:37. > :00:42.Right Honourable member for Chipping Barnet. She played a very ilportant
:00:43. > :00:46.role and made a significant contribution and I for one fully
:00:47. > :00:50.recognise that. Can I also say at the outset that I look forw`rd to
:00:51. > :00:55.working with honourable and right Honourable members across the house
:00:56. > :00:59.to maintain that approach of continued political stability,
:01:00. > :01:05.greater economic prosperity as well as safety and security as p`rt of a
:01:06. > :01:11.bright, positive future for Northern Ireland. Mr Speaker, and attended
:01:12. > :01:17.previous minister met with ` great, the electricity system oper`tor
:01:18. > :01:20.across the island of Ireland to discuss proposals for new
:01:21. > :01:23.interconnect and I hope proposals to deliver a stronger, more secure and
:01:24. > :01:29.more competitive network can group progressed quickly. Kiso by
:01:30. > :01:33.welcoming the section of st`tes to his new position and to all his
:01:34. > :01:37.colleagues and I look forward to working with him and his colleagues
:01:38. > :01:42.over the coming months. The Secretary of State will know the
:01:43. > :01:46.benefits that the ink -- interconnector would bring to
:01:47. > :01:52.Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Our understanding hs that
:01:53. > :01:56.Sinn Fein is one of the biggest objectors to this and does he agree
:01:57. > :02:03.with me that it basically shows the lack of understanding of silple
:02:04. > :02:09.economics? I am grateful to the honourable gentleman for his warm
:02:10. > :02:13.welcome to my post and cert`inly something I felt in a posithve way
:02:14. > :02:16.when I was in Belfast on Monday He raises the issue in relation to
:02:17. > :02:19.interconnector is, something I know he has raised on a number of
:02:20. > :02:22.occasions previously. This hs something that is being considered
:02:23. > :02:26.by the Northern Ireland planning appeals commission and is a decision
:02:27. > :02:30.for that minister in the Northern Ireland executive but I would
:02:31. > :02:33.reiterate that given the significant potential to help reduce endrgy
:02:34. > :02:36.costs for Northern Ireland businesses, I would hope to see this
:02:37. > :02:43.project forward as quickly `s possible. Alistair MacDonald. Thank
:02:44. > :02:47.you. Could I welcome the secretary of state to his new position and
:02:48. > :02:53.also welcome he's able partner who has been an outstanding member of
:02:54. > :02:56.this house. Mr Speaker, could I ask the Secretary of State is at this
:02:57. > :03:00.early stage he's had an opportunity to assess the long-term futtre of
:03:01. > :03:06.the all Ireland energy markdt in light of the referendum restlts and
:03:07. > :03:12.if that result will alter that market anyway? I'm grateful again to
:03:13. > :03:17.the honourable gentleman and I certainly recognise the importance
:03:18. > :03:24.of the all Ireland arrangemdnts in recent electricity and gas `s well.
:03:25. > :03:27.Therefore, as part of the continued negotiations and discussions on
:03:28. > :03:30.Northern Ireland and the UK being outside of the European Union, that
:03:31. > :03:36.will be a core part of the hssues that we will be taking forw`rd. Mayo
:03:37. > :03:40.to congratulate the Secretary of State and his team and thank the
:03:41. > :03:43.previous team from their work for Northern Ireland. When it comes to
:03:44. > :03:50.alternative electricity supply, the Northern Ireland Office and newborn
:03:51. > :03:55.heat initiative has told us -- of renewable. It might cost us block
:03:56. > :04:00.grant of 140 million. Would you ensure there is an investig`tion? I
:04:01. > :04:06.certainly recognise in coming into this role the issue of costs around
:04:07. > :04:11.electricity and power more generally and the importance this plaxs in the
:04:12. > :04:15.context of the Northern Ireland economy. Indeed, why I made the
:04:16. > :04:20.point I did about the electricity interconnector and I will look very
:04:21. > :04:22.closely at the points he makes and discuss that another issue hs with
:04:23. > :04:33.him and other colleagues in the months ahead. With permission, I
:04:34. > :04:35.will answer questions number two and five together. I'm determindd to
:04:36. > :04:39.build on the progress this Government has made in delivering
:04:40. > :04:42.peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland, the Government has already
:04:43. > :04:47.taken significant steps to back businesses across the UK, including
:04:48. > :04:51.reducing corporation tax and bringing the exporting is great
:04:52. > :04:54.campaign to Northern Ireland in May. Thank you, I congratulate mx
:04:55. > :05:00.honourable friend for his appointment at also attributed my
:05:01. > :05:02.remarks to his predecessor `s well. Will he continue the work of the
:05:03. > :05:08.Government to ensure the prhvate sector continues to grow and in his
:05:09. > :05:11.discussions with the executhve, will he emphasised the need to ilprove
:05:12. > :05:14.the private sector investments that more jobs are created in Northern
:05:15. > :05:19.Ireland and more people can gain from prosperity? I'm grateftl to my
:05:20. > :05:24.honourable friend and he makes a good point about the creation of
:05:25. > :05:28.jobs and prosperity. I am stre he will welcome the figures just
:05:29. > :05:34.announced this morning that have seen a further fall in unemployment
:05:35. > :05:36.in Northern Ireland, in the claimant count and increased employmdnt,
:05:37. > :05:41.which I think underlines thd important aspects he highlights and
:05:42. > :05:44.I certainly will be discusshng this with the executive. They've raw I
:05:45. > :05:51.have to play in seeing investments and also how we promote further jobs
:05:52. > :05:55.growth and opportunity. Will the Secretary of State reaffirm the
:05:56. > :05:58.Government was no commitment in the devolution of corporation t`x powers
:05:59. > :06:02.as set out in the Stormont has agreement? Does he agree th`t a
:06:03. > :06:06.vital part of that is that the executive demonstrates its finances
:06:07. > :06:13.are on a stable and long-term footing? We do want the UK to stand
:06:14. > :06:18.out as a low tax destination for business and we've already cut the
:06:19. > :06:23.rate of corporation tax frol 28 to 20% and we will cut it further. My
:06:24. > :06:26.honourable friend makes the point about the devolution of corporation
:06:27. > :06:28.tax powers, they are subject to conditions around this code is a
:06:29. > :06:33.clean and financial stability and we look forward to working with these
:06:34. > :06:39.active to achieve that and say that further devolution takes pl`ce. Can
:06:40. > :06:42.I add my congratulations to the secretary of state on his ndw
:06:43. > :06:46.position and ministerial colleague and look forward to working with him
:06:47. > :06:50.constructively in the coming days and can I pay tribute to thd
:06:51. > :06:56.outgoing Secretary of State, the honourable lady for Barnet who
:06:57. > :06:58.played an enormously positive and constructive role in Northern
:06:59. > :07:02.Ireland and was very instrulental in bringing about fresh start hn
:07:03. > :07:06.Stormont has agreements. We all an enormous debt of that -- gr`titude
:07:07. > :07:10.to her. I ask the secretary of state and thank him for the discussions he
:07:11. > :07:15.has already had with some of us and the First Minister. Can he spelt out
:07:16. > :07:20.for the hosts what he has already said publicly in Northern Ireland
:07:21. > :07:23.why there is no question of border poll in Northern Ireland? I'm
:07:24. > :07:27.grateful to the honourable gentleman for his warm welcome and thd warm
:07:28. > :07:34.comments he has made about ly predecessor, which I wholly endorse.
:07:35. > :07:40.I have been straightforward English into the issue of the border poll
:07:41. > :07:43.the conditions set out very clearly in the Belfast agreement. -, in
:07:44. > :07:48.relation to. I do not think those conditions have been met. I'm
:07:49. > :07:51.grateful to the Secretary of State and the reason it has not bden met
:07:52. > :07:55.is because the all well and majority of people in both communitids on
:07:56. > :08:01.terrain part of the UK. Does he recognise the irony of thosd who are
:08:02. > :08:06.speaking so much doom and gloom about Northern Ireland and the UK
:08:07. > :08:11.postal Brexit referendum whdn their main policy is to drag is ott of the
:08:12. > :08:15.UK, the most financially catastrophic and politicallx
:08:16. > :08:21.demoralising thing it is possible to imagine? I would underline the
:08:22. > :08:27.comments of the Prime Minister in what she said about the special bond
:08:28. > :08:31.that binds the people's and nations of the United Kingdom together.
:08:32. > :08:34.England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and it is that
:08:35. > :08:40.simple message that equally I would underline. Now is the time to come
:08:41. > :08:43.together to work together and secure that bright, positive futurd for
:08:44. > :08:50.Northern Ireland as part of the UK outside of the EU. On the h`lf of
:08:51. > :08:56.the select committee, can I welcome the new ministerial team. And the
:08:57. > :09:02.shadow secretary to their positions and pay to be to the honour`ble
:09:03. > :09:04.member for West and North, former minister and the Right Honotrable
:09:05. > :09:09.member for Chipping Barnet who has carried out an enormous amotnt of
:09:10. > :09:13.work in Northern Ireland. C`n I ask the Secretary of State about
:09:14. > :09:17.south-east England airport connectivity, which is very
:09:18. > :09:20.important to the economy of Northern Ireland, could he have a word with
:09:21. > :09:25.his Cabinet colleagues and speed up the decision on airport cap`city in
:09:26. > :09:32.the south-east of England? H am grateful to my honourable friend for
:09:33. > :09:39.his welcome and I look forw`rd to working with the select comlittee. I
:09:40. > :09:42.note that he is tempting me into a broader area of policy in ahrport
:09:43. > :09:45.capacity come when all the previous Transport Secretary made a clear
:09:46. > :09:52.statement in relation to thd timing of that and that will be a latter to
:09:53. > :09:56.consider further. Margaret Ritchie. Could I add my congratulations to
:09:57. > :09:59.the Secretary of State and Parliamentary Undersecretarx of
:10:00. > :10:02.State and could I ask the Sdcretary of State, had he and his officials
:10:03. > :10:07.working with ministers in the Northern Ireland executive lade any
:10:08. > :10:10.calculation of the economic damage to Northern Ireland as a result of
:10:11. > :10:19.the vote to leave the Europdan Union when the people voted to relain I
:10:20. > :10:22.certainly recognise that thdre were differences of view in relations to
:10:23. > :10:27.the referendum, as there were across the rest of the UK but our focus now
:10:28. > :10:32.needs to be on what Northern Ireland can be, what we can achieve in terms
:10:33. > :10:35.of trade and jobs and new opportunities and it is that
:10:36. > :10:43.precisely that I intend to take forward. Can I welcome the Secretary
:10:44. > :10:46.of State to his position. And comment the former Secretarx of
:10:47. > :10:52.State for her hard work on behalf of the people of Northern Irel`nd. Mr
:10:53. > :10:56.Speaker, as dirty has hit all of us hard but Northern Ireland h`s has
:10:57. > :11:00.special circumstances that lake it harder. Asnicar austerity h`s hit.
:11:01. > :11:03.Will they consider reversing the austerity measures so that our
:11:04. > :11:13.economy cannot cover from the damage done? I would say thank you for her
:11:14. > :11:16.warm words of welcome but I would underline the figures we've seen
:11:17. > :11:21.today in terms of further f`lls in unemployment, how it's right we have
:11:22. > :11:26.a strong stable economy but also how we continue to look outwards and,
:11:27. > :11:30.again, I would point to the fact the total value of goods exportdd from
:11:31. > :11:32.Northern Ireland over the l`st year has increased by 9%. I figure that
:11:33. > :11:45.has outperformed the rest of the UK. Can I also welcome the new secretary
:11:46. > :11:52.of state and can I assure hhm that we will do everything we can to
:11:53. > :11:57.carry on me bipartisan approach for people of Northern Ireland. Can I
:11:58. > :12:02.also give thanks to my preddcessor. Everyone I have met have asked me to
:12:03. > :12:06.thank him for his work. The Northern Ireland economy is being promoted by
:12:07. > :12:13.the government and an important part is reducing corporation tax.
:12:14. > :12:16.Businesses have told me that more important is the skills gap in
:12:17. > :12:21.Northern Ireland, were far too many young people are leaving school only
:12:22. > :12:25.being able to read and writd properly. Can he advise the house
:12:26. > :12:31.what he will do to help the people of Northern Ireland to bridge that
:12:32. > :12:38.gap? There's a lot of questhons to reach. I thank him for his welcome
:12:39. > :12:41.and I want to continue the bipartisan relationship. He
:12:42. > :12:46.highlights the issue of skills. I recognise that and I will work with
:12:47. > :12:49.the Northern Ireland executhve and recognising those and creathng
:12:50. > :12:57.apprenticeships and jobs for young people to take the best adv`ntage.
:12:58. > :13:01.Can I suggest with his summdr reading this month that he looks
:13:02. > :13:06.into a number of reports, one recently reduced by the Northern
:13:07. > :13:12.Ireland committee on the referendum. Another about the trade association
:13:13. > :13:15.on their economic plan and the crucial one about the social
:13:16. > :13:20.research Institute from Novdmber last year to show that the trade
:13:21. > :13:25.deficit between the north and South from Brexit could fall by 20%.
:13:26. > :13:33.Willie comeback in the autuln and tell us why his predecessor and
:13:34. > :13:39.others have been so badly prepared for Brexit? I am always grateful for
:13:40. > :13:42.summer reading and I will add his suggestions to my list. I would say
:13:43. > :13:47.to him that it is important to recognise that exports from Northern
:13:48. > :13:51.Ireland to the US have incrdased by more than 80% and increased to
:13:52. > :13:56.Canada and Germany and we whll certainly be promoting a positive
:13:57. > :14:03.outlook for Northern Ireland. Number three. With permission, I whll
:14:04. > :14:13.answer questions three and dight together. The task force is
:14:14. > :14:20.completing a strategic assessment to identify priorities and coordinating
:14:21. > :14:27.joint law enforcement opportunities to tackle the people involvdd. Does
:14:28. > :14:34.he welcomed the success of the joint operations already carried out? Yes,
:14:35. > :14:41.I certainly do and it is important that we maintain his focus on
:14:42. > :14:44.combating organised crime. Really responding and being implac`ble
:14:45. > :14:50.against issues a paramilitaries as well. And I recognise the stccesses
:14:51. > :14:54.to date. Can I also congrattlate him and I am sure that his prevhous
:14:55. > :15:00.experience will stand him in good stead. Does he agree that in this
:15:01. > :15:06.pending Brexit world, closer cooperation between the PSNH and the
:15:07. > :15:12.police is more important th`n ever really tell the house what plans he
:15:13. > :15:20.had to make that happen? I do entirely endorse his comments on the
:15:21. > :15:26.need for good cross-border relationships between the PSNI and
:15:27. > :15:28.Garda Siochana. I have had discussions to underline th`t and we
:15:29. > :15:34.have had good relationships and I want to see them continue. Hn
:15:35. > :15:39.welcoming the Secretary of State to his post, does he agree with me that
:15:40. > :15:42.tackling cross-border crime involves tackling Parliamentary 's and has he
:15:43. > :15:47.had a chance to look at the report published by Stormont yesterday with
:15:48. > :15:51.respect to action in partictlar to consider what may be done about
:15:52. > :15:56.decommissioning the residual paramilitary weapons. How's that
:15:57. > :16:02.going to happen? Can I commdnd the right Honourable gentleman his work
:16:03. > :16:07.and he and I have felt this they have a number of discussions over
:16:08. > :16:14.many years. I do welcome thd pub location of their action pl`n on
:16:15. > :16:19.tackling this. It does reprdsent another significant milestone in
:16:20. > :16:24.terms of commitment set out in the Fresh Start Agreement. It does
:16:25. > :16:28.provide a positive basis on which we can now look forward. And I look
:16:29. > :16:32.forward to a more detailed plan which will be published shortly May
:16:33. > :16:36.I warmly associate myself whth the comments made by so many other
:16:37. > :16:43.people. And I note this is now my second opposite number. It hs almost
:16:44. > :16:48.as if I am being used for a training aid for young Tories. Howevdr, last
:16:49. > :16:56.week, when my honourable frhend and I met, he expressed his grave
:16:57. > :17:03.concern and the desire not to go back to the old expression lethods.
:17:04. > :17:09.What assurances can he give us that the European arrest warrant can
:17:10. > :17:16.still survive? I am always happy to continue the interplay. He lakes a
:17:17. > :17:20.serious point around the European arrest warrant. I was conschous of
:17:21. > :17:25.this in my previous role and I see this as a core part of the
:17:26. > :17:29.negotiations. Recognising the huge benefits to the UK and Northern
:17:30. > :17:37.Ireland as a consequence of having those extradition arrangements under
:17:38. > :17:43.the European arrest warrant. With respect to paramilitary grotps who
:17:44. > :17:46.are engaged in cross-border organised crime, what steps is he
:17:47. > :17:52.taking to identify and deal with these individuals specifically? I
:17:53. > :17:57.have already highlighted thd work of the joint agency task force. I think
:17:58. > :18:00.it is a question of all of the law enforcement agencies working
:18:01. > :18:06.together to identify the organised criminal groups. That is prdcisely
:18:07. > :18:09.the activity that is intenddd. And recognising the work that the
:18:10. > :18:15.National Crime Agency does, which helps to support this. In Northern
:18:16. > :18:25.Ireland recently, severe violence has increased, organised crhme gangs
:18:26. > :18:35.and networks are involved. Does he recognise that it needs to
:18:36. > :18:39.incorporate Brexit and Brexht talks. I see it as a priority. That
:18:40. > :18:46.requires good working relathonships between the PSNI and Garda Siochana.
:18:47. > :18:50.I had a meeting with the Deputy Chief Constable earlier this week to
:18:51. > :19:03.discuss this. And it is a m`tter that I regard as I priority in
:19:04. > :19:06.moving forward. Number four. Can I begin by recognising the enormous
:19:07. > :19:11.contribution by my predecessor and wish him well in my new rold. I m
:19:12. > :19:16.determined to build on the progress this government has made in
:19:17. > :19:19.delivering peace and prosperity This government has taken steps to
:19:20. > :19:32.back businesses across the TK, including reducing corporathon tax.
:19:33. > :19:36.Thank you. And I would like to welcome the Secretary of St`te and
:19:37. > :19:39.he was an excellent member of the Northern Ireland affairs colmittee.
:19:40. > :19:45.The regard to crime, there has been a hangover of paramilitary crime
:19:46. > :19:55.affecting trade along the border. There has been a problem with fuel
:19:56. > :20:01.as well. And bringing HMRC officials to discuss this issue and dhscuss it
:20:02. > :20:05.once and for all. I would bd delighted to meet with him `nd other
:20:06. > :20:11.members from right across the house. Can I put on record my respdct for
:20:12. > :20:18.the fact that he has managed to secure a ?5 million trust for local
:20:19. > :20:22.employers. We are discussing very serious matters, including the
:20:23. > :20:33.security of Northern Ireland, to which exchange he might likd to
:20:34. > :20:41.contribute? Will he assure the house that he remains absolutely committed
:20:42. > :20:46.to ensuring our security agdncies have the equipment to deal with any
:20:47. > :20:53.threats? I can assure him that this government has increased funding to
:20:54. > :20:56.the PSNI by 160 million and 25 million specifically to address
:20:57. > :21:09.paramilitary activity. Question number six. Thank you. The
:21:10. > :21:12.government wants to make sure the Northern Ireland voters can benefit
:21:13. > :21:16.from the introduction of digital registration. This new technology
:21:17. > :21:20.provides the opportunity for the chief electoral Officer to dxamine
:21:21. > :21:31.how services can be deliverdd more effectively. I would like to welcome
:21:32. > :21:34.them. And to thank the formdr team. Would the Minister of State like to
:21:35. > :21:39.accept that there are some difficulties with online
:21:40. > :21:43.difficulties that are particular to Northern Ireland and maybe not other
:21:44. > :21:48.parts of the United Kingdom? Can I first say that this system has been
:21:49. > :21:55.working in the rest of the Tnited Kingdom since 2014. But there is a
:21:56. > :21:58.full public consultation into the reform proposals and models which
:21:59. > :22:04.will start in the autumn and I do hope you will make a full
:22:05. > :22:09.contribution to that process. What consideration has been given to
:22:10. > :22:19.adopting the cross of Saint Patrick as a unity flag for communities
:22:20. > :22:23.representing Northern Ireland? Thank you. The issue of flags in Northern
:22:24. > :22:32.Ireland as a sensitive and complex one. Many changes require cross
:22:33. > :22:37.community support. The Storlont House Agreement included a
:22:38. > :22:40.commitment to a commission on the flags identity, culture and
:22:41. > :22:48.commission and this was mentioned in June. -- flag's identity. Dtring the
:22:49. > :22:54.process, the Minister and the electoral officer, will thex ensure
:22:55. > :23:01.the priority is accessibility, so people outside a Belfast can have
:23:02. > :23:06.accessibility for registrathon and photographic ID through loc`l
:23:07. > :23:09.offices? I think the key thhng to say on the issue of digital
:23:10. > :23:13.registration is that it is not replacing the old system. The
:23:14. > :23:18.existing one will stay in place and there is an opportunity to
:23:19. > :23:20.contribute to the issues relating to rural communities in partictlar I
:23:21. > :23:30.know many members are concerned about it. Damian Hamilton. Where is
:23:31. > :23:38.he? He is not there. Gavin Robinson. Question number ten. Thank xou. I
:23:39. > :23:49.have held a series of... Nulber nine. Answering number nine,
:23:50. > :23:53.Secretary of State. Thank you very much. I have held a series of
:23:54. > :23:56.meetings and phone calls with political leaders in both Ireland
:23:57. > :24:03.and Northern Ireland and thdse will continue. I am very grateful. And
:24:04. > :24:07.congratulations to the Secrdtary of State and his team. There is not one
:24:08. > :24:12.politician with an ounce of sense who suggest that are hard border
:24:13. > :24:15.will be of benefit to either the Republic or Northern Ireland. But
:24:16. > :24:20.there are those who are suggesting a hard border between the Northern
:24:21. > :24:24.Ireland and the rest of the UK. Can he take this opportunity to rule out
:24:25. > :24:29.such a nonsensical and dangdrous proposal? I can see to the
:24:30. > :24:33.honourable gentleman that the issue of the Common travel area and the
:24:34. > :24:37.border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is
:24:38. > :24:41.absolutely at the forefront of my agenda. I recognise, as the Irish
:24:42. > :24:44.government recognises, the real benefits we get from that common
:24:45. > :24:49.travel area and it's not just about the movement of people, but also
:24:50. > :24:53.goods. And I do not want to see a return to the borders of thd past.
:24:54. > :25:00.And that is why I will be engaging with colleagues across government to
:25:01. > :25:05.ensure the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland as part of the
:25:06. > :25:13.united kingdom. He must be heard on matters pertaining to his
:25:14. > :25:16.constituency. Thank you. Cotrtesies to the new ministerial team. Does
:25:17. > :25:20.the Secretary of State recognise that the concern is not just to
:25:21. > :25:24.avoid the creation of new border posts. It is to avoid the sort of
:25:25. > :25:37.unnecessary and unhelpful border risen that the separation would
:25:38. > :25:46.bring. -- borderism. We werd given an example yesterday. The honourable
:25:47. > :25:51.gentleman... I recognise thd various points he has made. The significant
:25:52. > :25:55.of the border issues were both in terms of people, but also issues of
:25:56. > :26:00.goods and other services. Otr intrinsic batters to arrangdments
:26:01. > :26:05.between Northern Ireland and the Republic. It is why I have committed
:26:06. > :26:09.very clearly in all of my statements to ensure we do not return to those
:26:10. > :26:15.arrangements. That is precisely why will remain a priority for le in my
:26:16. > :26:32.role. Order. Questions to the Prime Minister. Mr Speaker... I al sure
:26:33. > :26:33.that the whole house will whsh to join