Live Northern Ireland Questions House of Commons

but first, questions to the music to protect from us in Ireland, James

Brokenshire. -- to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr David

Simpson. Number one. Mr Spe`ker can I say what a privilege it is to have

been appointed as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland `nd in

that regard, can I pay tribtte to the work of my predecessor, the

Right Honourable member for Chipping Barnet. She played a very ilportant

role and made a significant contribution and I for one fully

recognise that. Can I also say at the outset that I look forw`rd to

working with honourable and right Honourable members across the house

to maintain that approach of continued political stability,

greater economic prosperity as well as safety and security as p`rt of a

bright, positive future for Northern Ireland. Mr Speaker, and attended

previous minister met with ` great, the electricity system oper`tor

across the island of Ireland to discuss proposals for new

interconnect and I hope proposals to deliver a stronger, more secure and

more competitive network can group progressed quickly. Kiso by

welcoming the section of st`tes to his new position and to all his

colleagues and I look forward to working with him and his colleagues

over the coming months. The Secretary of State will know the

benefits that the ink -- interconnector would bring to

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Our understanding hs that

Sinn Fein is one of the biggest objectors to this and does he agree

with me that it basically shows the lack of understanding of silple

economics? I am grateful to the honourable gentleman for his warm

welcome to my post and cert`inly something I felt in a posithve way

when I was in Belfast on Monday He raises the issue in relation to

interconnector is, something I know he has raised on a number of

occasions previously. This hs something that is being considered

by the Northern Ireland planning appeals commission and is a decision

for that minister in the Northern Ireland executive but I would

reiterate that given the significant potential to help reduce endrgy

costs for Northern Ireland businesses, I would hope to see this

project forward as quickly `s possible. Alistair MacDonald. Thank

you. Could I welcome the secretary of state to his new position and

also welcome he's able partner who has been an outstanding member of

this house. Mr Speaker, could I ask the Secretary of State is at this

early stage he's had an opportunity to assess the long-term futtre of

the all Ireland energy markdt in light of the referendum restlts and

if that result will alter that market anyway? I'm grateful again to

the honourable gentleman and I certainly recognise the importance

of the all Ireland arrangemdnts in recent electricity and gas `s well.

Therefore, as part of the continued negotiations and discussions on

Northern Ireland and the UK being outside of the European Union, that

will be a core part of the hssues that we will be taking forw`rd. Mayo

to congratulate the Secretary of State and his team and thank the

previous team from their work for Northern Ireland. When it comes to

alternative electricity supply, the Northern Ireland Office and newborn

heat initiative has told us -- of renewable. It might cost us block

grant of 140 million. Would you ensure there is an investig`tion? I

certainly recognise in coming into this role the issue of costs around

electricity and power more generally and the importance this plaxs in the

context of the Northern Ireland economy. Indeed, why I made the

point I did about the electricity interconnector and I will look very

closely at the points he makes and discuss that another issue hs with

him and other colleagues in the months ahead. With permission, I

will answer questions number two and five together. I'm determindd to

build on the progress this Government has made in delivering

peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland, the Government has already

taken significant steps to back businesses across the UK, including

reducing corporation tax and bringing the exporting is great

campaign to Northern Ireland in May. Thank you, I congratulate mx

honourable friend for his appointment at also attributed my

remarks to his predecessor `s well. Will he continue the work of the

Government to ensure the prhvate sector continues to grow and in his

discussions with the executhve, will he emphasised the need to ilprove

the private sector investments that more jobs are created in Northern

Ireland and more people can gain from prosperity? I'm grateftl to my

honourable friend and he makes a good point about the creation of

jobs and prosperity. I am stre he will welcome the figures just

announced this morning that have seen a further fall in unemployment

in Northern Ireland, in the claimant count and increased employmdnt,

which I think underlines thd important aspects he highlights and

I certainly will be discusshng this with the executive. They've raw I

have to play in seeing investments and also how we promote further jobs

growth and opportunity. Will the Secretary of State reaffirm the

Government was no commitment in the devolution of corporation t`x powers

as set out in the Stormont has agreement? Does he agree th`t a

vital part of that is that the executive demonstrates its finances

are on a stable and long-term footing? We do want the UK to stand

out as a low tax destination for business and we've already cut the

rate of corporation tax frol 28 to 20% and we will cut it further. My

honourable friend makes the point about the devolution of corporation

tax powers, they are subject to conditions around this code is a

clean and financial stability and we look forward to working with these

active to achieve that and say that further devolution takes pl`ce. Can

I add my congratulations to the secretary of state on his ndw

position and ministerial colleague and look forward to working with him

constructively in the coming days and can I pay tribute to thd

outgoing Secretary of State, the honourable lady for Barnet who

played an enormously positive and constructive role in Northern

Ireland and was very instrulental in bringing about fresh start hn

Stormont has agreements. We all an enormous debt of that -- gr`titude

to her. I ask the secretary of state and thank him for the discussions he

has already had with some of us and the First Minister. Can he spelt out

for the hosts what he has already said publicly in Northern Ireland

why there is no question of border poll in Northern Ireland? I'm

grateful to the honourable gentleman for his warm welcome and thd warm

comments he has made about ly predecessor, which I wholly endorse.

I have been straightforward English into the issue of the border poll

the conditions set out very clearly in the Belfast agreement. -, in

relation to. I do not think those conditions have been met. I'm

grateful to the Secretary of State and the reason it has not bden met

is because the all well and majority of people in both communitids on

terrain part of the UK. Does he recognise the irony of thosd who are

speaking so much doom and gloom about Northern Ireland and the UK

postal Brexit referendum whdn their main policy is to drag is ott of the

UK, the most financially catastrophic and politicallx

demoralising thing it is possible to imagine? I would underline the

comments of the Prime Minister in what she said about the special bond

that binds the people's and nations of the United Kingdom together.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and it is that

simple message that equally I would underline. Now is the time to come

together to work together and secure that bright, positive futurd for

Northern Ireland as part of the UK outside of the EU. On the h`lf of

the select committee, can I welcome the new ministerial team. And the

shadow secretary to their positions and pay to be to the honour`ble

member for West and North, former minister and the Right Honotrable

member for Chipping Barnet who has carried out an enormous amotnt of

work in Northern Ireland. C`n I ask the Secretary of State about

south-east England airport connectivity, which is very

important to the economy of Northern Ireland, could he have a word with

his Cabinet colleagues and speed up the decision on airport cap`city in

the south-east of England? H am grateful to my honourable friend for

his welcome and I look forw`rd to working with the select comlittee. I

note that he is tempting me into a broader area of policy in ahrport

capacity come when all the previous Transport Secretary made a clear

statement in relation to thd timing of that and that will be a latter to

consider further. Margaret Ritchie. Could I add my congratulations to

the Secretary of State and Parliamentary Undersecretarx of

State and could I ask the Sdcretary of State, had he and his officials

working with ministers in the Northern Ireland executive lade any

calculation of the economic damage to Northern Ireland as a result of

the vote to leave the Europdan Union when the people voted to relain I

certainly recognise that thdre were differences of view in relations to

the referendum, as there were across the rest of the UK but our focus now

needs to be on what Northern Ireland can be, what we can achieve in terms

of trade and jobs and new opportunities and it is that

precisely that I intend to take forward. Can I welcome the Secretary

of State to his position. And comment the former Secretarx of

State for her hard work on behalf of the people of Northern Irel`nd. Mr

Speaker, as dirty has hit all of us hard but Northern Ireland h`s has

special circumstances that lake it harder. Asnicar austerity h`s hit.

Will they consider reversing the austerity measures so that our

economy cannot cover from the damage done? I would say thank you for her

warm words of welcome but I would underline the figures we've seen

today in terms of further f`lls in unemployment, how it's right we have

a strong stable economy but also how we continue to look outwards and,

again, I would point to the fact the total value of goods exportdd from

Northern Ireland over the l`st year has increased by 9%. I figure that

has outperformed the rest of the UK. Can I also welcome the new secretary

of state and can I assure hhm that we will do everything we can to

carry on me bipartisan approach for people of Northern Ireland. Can I

also give thanks to my preddcessor. Everyone I have met have asked me to

thank him for his work. The Northern Ireland economy is being promoted by

the government and an important part is reducing corporation tax.

Businesses have told me that more important is the skills gap in

Northern Ireland, were far too many young people are leaving school only

being able to read and writd properly. Can he advise the house

what he will do to help the people of Northern Ireland to bridge that

gap? There's a lot of questhons to reach. I thank him for his welcome

and I want to continue the bipartisan relationship. He

highlights the issue of skills. I recognise that and I will work with

the Northern Ireland executhve and recognising those and creathng

apprenticeships and jobs for young people to take the best adv`ntage.

Can I suggest with his summdr reading this month that he looks

into a number of reports, one recently reduced by the Northern

Ireland committee on the referendum. Another about the trade association

on their economic plan and the crucial one about the social

research Institute from Novdmber last year to show that the trade

deficit between the north and South from Brexit could fall by 20%.

Willie comeback in the autuln and tell us why his predecessor and

others have been so badly prepared for Brexit? I am always grateful for

summer reading and I will add his suggestions to my list. I would say

to him that it is important to recognise that exports from Northern

Ireland to the US have incrdased by more than 80% and increased to

Canada and Germany and we whll certainly be promoting a positive

outlook for Northern Ireland. Number three. With permission, I whll

answer questions three and dight together. The task force is

completing a strategic assessment to identify priorities and coordinating

joint law enforcement opportunities to tackle the people involvdd. Does

he welcomed the success of the joint operations already carried out? Yes,

I certainly do and it is important that we maintain his focus on

combating organised crime. Really responding and being implac`ble

against issues a paramilitaries as well. And I recognise the stccesses

to date. Can I also congrattlate him and I am sure that his prevhous

experience will stand him in good stead. Does he agree that in this

pending Brexit world, closer cooperation between the PSNH and the

police is more important th`n ever really tell the house what plans he

had to make that happen? I do entirely endorse his comments on the

need for good cross-border relationships between the PSNI and

Garda Siochana. I have had discussions to underline th`t and we

have had good relationships and I want to see them continue. Hn

welcoming the Secretary of State to his post, does he agree with me that

tackling cross-border crime involves tackling Parliamentary 's and has he

had a chance to look at the report published by Stormont yesterday with

respect to action in partictlar to consider what may be done about

decommissioning the residual paramilitary weapons. How's that

going to happen? Can I commdnd the right Honourable gentleman his work

and he and I have felt this they have a number of discussions over

many years. I do welcome thd pub location of their action pl`n on

tackling this. It does reprdsent another significant milestone in

terms of commitment set out in the Fresh Start Agreement. It does

provide a positive basis on which we can now look forward. And I look

forward to a more detailed plan which will be published shortly May

I warmly associate myself whth the comments made by so many other

people. And I note this is now my second opposite number. It hs almost

as if I am being used for a training aid for young Tories. Howevdr, last

week, when my honourable frhend and I met, he expressed his grave

concern and the desire not to go back to the old expression lethods.

What assurances can he give us that the European arrest warrant can

still survive? I am always happy to continue the interplay. He lakes a

serious point around the European arrest warrant. I was conschous of

this in my previous role and I see this as a core part of the

negotiations. Recognising the huge benefits to the UK and Northern

Ireland as a consequence of having those extradition arrangements under

the European arrest warrant. With respect to paramilitary grotps who

are engaged in cross-border organised crime, what steps is he

taking to identify and deal with these individuals specifically? I

have already highlighted thd work of the joint agency task force. I think

it is a question of all of the law enforcement agencies working

together to identify the organised criminal groups. That is prdcisely

the activity that is intenddd. And recognising the work that the

National Crime Agency does, which helps to support this. In Northern

Ireland recently, severe violence has increased, organised crhme gangs

and networks are involved. Does he recognise that it needs to

incorporate Brexit and Brexht talks. I see it as a priority. That

requires good working relathonships between the PSNI and Garda Siochana.

I had a meeting with the Deputy Chief Constable earlier this week to

discuss this. And it is a m`tter that I regard as I priority in

moving forward. Number four. Can I begin by recognising the enormous

contribution by my predecessor and wish him well in my new rold. I m

determined to build on the progress this government has made in

delivering peace and prosperity This government has taken steps to

back businesses across the TK, including reducing corporathon tax.

Thank you. And I would like to welcome the Secretary of St`te and

he was an excellent member of the Northern Ireland affairs colmittee.

The regard to crime, there has been a hangover of paramilitary crime

affecting trade along the border. There has been a problem with fuel

as well. And bringing HMRC officials to discuss this issue and dhscuss it

once and for all. I would bd delighted to meet with him `nd other

members from right across the house. Can I put on record my respdct for

the fact that he has managed to secure a ?5 million trust for local

employers. We are discussing very serious matters, including the

security of Northern Ireland, to which exchange he might likd to

contribute? Will he assure the house that he remains absolutely committed

to ensuring our security agdncies have the equipment to deal with any

threats? I can assure him that this government has increased funding to

the PSNI by 160 million and 25 million specifically to address

paramilitary activity. Question number six. Thank you. The

government wants to make sure the Northern Ireland voters can benefit

from the introduction of digital registration. This new technology

provides the opportunity for the chief electoral Officer to dxamine

how services can be deliverdd more effectively. I would like to welcome

them. And to thank the formdr team. Would the Minister of State like to

accept that there are some difficulties with online

difficulties that are particular to Northern Ireland and maybe not other

parts of the United Kingdom? Can I first say that this system has been

working in the rest of the Tnited Kingdom since 2014. But there is a

full public consultation into the reform proposals and models which

will start in the autumn and I do hope you will make a full

contribution to that process. What consideration has been given to

adopting the cross of Saint Patrick as a unity flag for communities

representing Northern Ireland? Thank you. The issue of flags in Northern

Ireland as a sensitive and complex one. Many changes require cross

community support. The Storlont House Agreement included a

commitment to a commission on the flags identity, culture and

commission and this was mentioned in June. -- flag's identity. Dtring the

process, the Minister and the electoral officer, will thex ensure

the priority is accessibility, so people outside a Belfast can have

accessibility for registrathon and photographic ID through loc`l

offices? I think the key thhng to say on the issue of digital

registration is that it is not replacing the old system. The

existing one will stay in place and there is an opportunity to

contribute to the issues relating to rural communities in partictlar I

know many members are concerned about it. Damian Hamilton. Where is

he? He is not there. Gavin Robinson. Question number ten. Thank xou. I

have held a series of... Nulber nine. Answering number nine,

Secretary of State. Thank you very much. I have held a series of

meetings and phone calls with political leaders in both Ireland

and Northern Ireland and thdse will continue. I am very grateful. And

congratulations to the Secrdtary of State and his team. There is not one

politician with an ounce of sense who suggest that are hard border

will be of benefit to either the Republic or Northern Ireland. But

there are those who are suggesting a hard border between the Northern

Ireland and the rest of the UK. Can he take this opportunity to rule out

such a nonsensical and dangdrous proposal? I can see to the

honourable gentleman that the issue of the Common travel area and the

border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is

absolutely at the forefront of my agenda. I recognise, as the Irish

government recognises, the real benefits we get from that common

travel area and it's not just about the movement of people, but also

goods. And I do not want to see a return to the borders of thd past.

And that is why I will be engaging with colleagues across government to

ensure the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland as part of the

united kingdom. He must be heard on matters pertaining to his

constituency. Thank you. Cotrtesies to the new ministerial team. Does

the Secretary of State recognise that the concern is not just to

avoid the creation of new border posts. It is to avoid the sort of

unnecessary and unhelpful border risen that the separation would

bring. -- borderism. We werd given an example yesterday. The honourable

gentleman... I recognise thd various points he has made. The significant

of the border issues were both in terms of people, but also issues of

goods and other services. Otr intrinsic batters to arrangdments

between Northern Ireland and the Republic. It is why I have committed

very clearly in all of my statements to ensure we do not return to those

arrangements. That is precisely why will remain a priority for le in my

role. Order. Questions to the Prime Minister. Mr Speaker... I al sure

that the whole house will whsh to join