:00:17. > :00:28.Welcome to the BBC's coverage of the House of Commons. There will be too
:00:29. > :00:33.urgent questions. The first is tabled by deadbeat Abrahams about
:00:34. > :00:40.payments regulations and the second comes from the women and equality
:00:41. > :00:44.committee Mariah Miller about women wearing headscarves in the
:00:45. > :00:50.workplace. Then the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, will make a
:00:51. > :00:58.statement on national insurance contributions and Priti Patel will
:00:59. > :01:12.update the Commons on issues relating to Isis, or Daesh. Do join
:01:13. > :01:19.me for a round-up of the day in both houses at 11pm tonight, and before
:01:20. > :01:30.that, we have questions for the Secretary of State for Northern
:01:31. > :01:36.Ireland about private legislation. All that! Order! The clerk will now
:01:37. > :01:44.receive two read the title of the private bill set down for
:01:45. > :01:56.consideration. Second reading. Wednesday the 22nd of March. Thank
:01:57. > :02:03.you. Order! Questions for the Secretary of State for Northern
:02:04. > :02:08.Ireland. Minister, Chris Hopkins. I condemn the irresponsible and the
:02:09. > :02:14.disgraceful comments by Jeremy McGrath, I support the judiciary in
:02:15. > :02:18.Northern Ireland and any attack on them is an acceptable. I thank the
:02:19. > :02:29.Minister for his response, but what I am calling on is asked to contact
:02:30. > :02:34.the PPS that man released on licence, a man with a lengthy
:02:35. > :02:44.history of violence is not being pursued by DP S N I. What will the
:02:45. > :02:49.Minister do to ensure action is taken. Thank you. I thank the
:02:50. > :02:58.honourable gentleman for his question. I reiterate a condemnation
:02:59. > :03:01.of his comments, Gerry McGrath, but if we are given the relevant
:03:02. > :03:09.information and consider whether we can suspend the license. It's up for
:03:10. > :03:17.the commissioners to discuss that. It would be wrong for us to try to
:03:18. > :03:25.fix the system further down. I trust our police service, and the PPS to
:03:26. > :03:33.make the right decision. The Minister will know that he did not
:03:34. > :03:38.receive a comfort lesson, but that scheme of those on the run, operated
:03:39. > :03:50.by both Labour and Conservative governments was utterly deplorable,
:03:51. > :03:55.immoral and wrong. Can you confirm whether anything like this is on the
:03:56. > :04:07.table for Sinn Fein at this time? I think that would be very helpful.
:04:08. > :04:13.The Government is committed to resolving issues in Northern
:04:14. > :04:16.Ireland, and I believe parties in Northern Ireland share this
:04:17. > :04:22.commitment. I will continue to return to Belfast to establish a
:04:23. > :04:26.partnership executive in the short time frame available. Progress has
:04:27. > :04:35.been made that needs to continue with urgency in order to achieve a
:04:36. > :04:41.positive outcome. I, as a nurse, am acutely aware that a budget needs to
:04:42. > :04:43.be set to insure public services are adequately funded, but without a
:04:44. > :04:49.Northern Ireland executive in place it is almost impossible. Does he
:04:50. > :04:55.share my fear is that failure to restore an executive is putting
:04:56. > :05:00.Northern Ireland in severe financial risk? I think my honourable friend
:05:01. > :05:04.highlights some of the issues regarding setting a budget for
:05:05. > :05:10.Northern Ireland which is a key priority. She highlights the health
:05:11. > :05:16.service and I pay tribute to those working there. There's a sense of
:05:17. > :05:23.opportunity that new executive can take forward and ?120 million that
:05:24. > :05:34.was taken into account. This could take Northern Ireland forward. May I
:05:35. > :05:44.first, on behalf of my colleagues express my condolences to those
:05:45. > :05:46.families of the crew 's in that Northern Ireland helicopter that
:05:47. > :05:53.crashed. We would like to spread deep sympathy at this time. Also,
:05:54. > :05:58.George Gilmore, murdered in Carrickfergus. An appalling crime
:05:59. > :06:06.carried out it appears to be by loyalist paramilitary. We need to
:06:07. > :06:15.move forward on the Stormont House agreement, tacking the pal a
:06:16. > :06:21.paramilitary. I agree with the honourable gentleman in his current
:06:22. > :06:25.thoughts about the crew of the Irish helicopter. It's a terrible tragedy
:06:26. > :06:30.and I know the whole House will share that and I join with him in
:06:31. > :06:35.condemning that appalling murder that has taken place. I have spoken
:06:36. > :06:45.to DPS and I and I know they are actively pursuing lines of enquiry.
:06:46. > :06:51.-- PNSI. I will continue to work to confront that scourge. There's no
:06:52. > :06:55.reason for it at all. We are trying to put ?25 million towards the
:06:56. > :06:59.importance of that work. The Secretary of State will be aware
:07:00. > :07:07.that this party is absolutely and totally committed getting devolution
:07:08. > :07:11.back. We didn't create that present crisis. Others walked away. We are
:07:12. > :07:17.determined to restore this as quickly as possible. We heard what
:07:18. > :07:24.they write Minister had to say. Can the Minister confirm that the Irish
:07:25. > :07:33.Republic's involvement is limited to strands two and three when it is
:07:34. > :07:41.regarding the Republic. I can certainly give him that
:07:42. > :07:46.contemplation. The Irish Government will be playing in that context, and
:07:47. > :07:50.the responsibilities we all feel in seeing a devolved Government getting
:07:51. > :07:59.back, delivering for Northern Ireland. That is something I know
:08:00. > :08:05.all the parties recognise. Having been a member of Parliament prior to
:08:06. > :08:10.devolution, I'm aware of the total inadequacy of direct rule. Can my
:08:11. > :08:16.honourable friend ensure that he is undertaking these negotiations with
:08:17. > :08:21.the utmost urgency to get a deal on devolved Government. I can give that
:08:22. > :08:25.confirmation, because devolved Government is the only thing I'm
:08:26. > :08:31.working towards, recognising that that is what the people of Northern
:08:32. > :08:35.Ireland voted for and wanted to see. Delivering that change, that
:08:36. > :08:42.positive impact on peoples lives and that's the urgency we are
:08:43. > :08:45.approaching with. I'm pleased to hear from the honourable gentleman
:08:46. > :08:51.that he is rolling out the direct rule option. But what is the
:08:52. > :08:56.contingency if there is no agreement reached, and will he extend that
:08:57. > :09:02.period if no agreement is reached? What I would say to the honourable
:09:03. > :09:05.lady, is that the UK Government takes its responsibility seriously
:09:06. > :09:12.when it comes to political responsibility, but the real intent
:09:13. > :09:19.is there in securing an agreement in that three-week period. I believe it
:09:20. > :09:25.is achievable. And it's weird that goodwill and approach that I believe
:09:26. > :09:29.the parties will engage to achieve that outcome and speculating on
:09:30. > :09:36.alternative approaches is not helpful. Can I echo the comments for
:09:37. > :09:43.the member of the member for Belfast North on those who have recently
:09:44. > :09:47.lost their lives. We will be behind the Secretary of State in trying to
:09:48. > :09:53.re-establish after these re-elections. But if local
:09:54. > :09:59.politicians are wise enough not to form an administration, would he
:10:00. > :10:06.consider taking measures to cease paying salaries and expenses to
:10:07. > :10:09.those who have been elected? I think my honourable friend is equally
:10:10. > :10:13.highlighting a report that was published in the last week on this
:10:14. > :10:19.very issue. I would say to him that my focus and intent is in getting
:10:20. > :10:25.the parties to get together to reach that agreement in three weeks. I
:10:26. > :10:34.think that is doable with urgency, with a sense of goodwill. It's a
:10:35. > :10:40.rather sombre day because it marks the Ides of March, but this Friday,
:10:41. > :10:46.we will have a chance to fail glorious and Patrick, and may I wish
:10:47. > :10:52.you and the House wish you a happy Saint Patrick's Day in advance. And
:10:53. > :10:58.I can't remember a more serious time since the Good Friday agreement was
:10:59. > :11:02.signed. May I say to my colleagues that normal hostilities are
:11:03. > :11:12.suspended. We will be offering unequivocal support to the Minister,
:11:13. > :11:21.and the Government and the time -- and the time for working together is
:11:22. > :11:27.here and now. Has there been a round table plenary yet involving all the
:11:28. > :11:30.parties? At the outset, can I thank the honourable gentleman for his
:11:31. > :11:39.support, and the cross-party nature of the approach that is shared on
:11:40. > :11:42.this serious issue. We want to get an executive back into place,
:11:43. > :11:47.delivering the Northern Ireland, following through on the
:11:48. > :11:51.expectations of the public. I hope people understand that I'm not going
:11:52. > :11:56.to provide a running narrative in regard to the talks, but what I can
:11:57. > :12:00.say to him is that progress is being made, some significant issues still
:12:01. > :12:07.need to be resolved but we are approaching this with good will. I'm
:12:08. > :12:12.slightly concerned by the statement of the leader of one of the Northern
:12:13. > :12:22.Ireland parties saying meetings had been cancelled. Have you received
:12:23. > :12:27.any representation from the charitable sector are that they are
:12:28. > :12:31.experiencing due to the budgetary impasse? He makes an important
:12:32. > :12:36.point. The budget has not yet been set and some of the uncertainty
:12:37. > :12:41.means we need to see the executive in place within the three-week
:12:42. > :12:47.timescale, because there could be a problem with a range of issues in
:12:48. > :12:48.Northern Ireland. The faith community, the voluntary sector, and
:12:49. > :13:03.the business community have said The Government stands firmly behind
:13:04. > :13:10.the institutions of the Belfast agreement and its successors. I have
:13:11. > :13:14.regular discussions with the Government on a number of issues and
:13:15. > :13:20.our immediate priority is working with the parties to resume the
:13:21. > :13:23.devolved administration. I'm grateful for that answer. The sexual
:13:24. > :13:28.state will know that at the time of the Good Friday Agreement nearly 19
:13:29. > :13:36.years ago the European Union also played a role alongside the British
:13:37. > :13:43.and Irish governments. -- the Secretary of State. Does he know of
:13:44. > :13:48.any support to maintain the institutional frameworks
:13:49. > :13:55.particularly the institutional corporation that has been some
:13:56. > :13:58.potent over the last two years. I think they're very strong
:13:59. > :14:01.relationship between the UK Government executive and the
:14:02. > :14:05.Government in Ireland, we stand behind our commitments to the
:14:06. > :14:08.Belfast agreement and its successors. What I picked up at EU
:14:09. > :14:12.level is a strong level of support for the Good Friday Agreement and
:14:13. > :14:15.Belfast agreement. We are determined to get the best possible deal for
:14:16. > :14:21.Northern Ireland recognising our commitment. Turning to the Good
:14:22. > :14:26.Friday Agreement will he ensure that the disgraceful treatment of my
:14:27. > :14:31.constituent Cockrell Major Denis Hutchings and others will be
:14:32. > :14:36.addressed as part of any further discussions on the part of legacy
:14:37. > :14:41.issues. I know she has raised the issue of a constituent in a number
:14:42. > :14:45.of occasions and I pay tribute to her on her work as a constituency
:14:46. > :14:50.MP. She will understand I am unable to comment on individual cases but I
:14:51. > :14:55.can say that the current system in dealing to a range of issues related
:14:56. > :14:59.to legacy is not working for anyone, not working for service personnel
:15:00. > :15:06.are victims and why it is important we move forward on the Stormont
:15:07. > :15:13.House bodies decree that their system that I think everyone agrees
:15:14. > :15:17.is needed. Does the Secretary of State not understand that Brexit
:15:18. > :15:20.could have implications for the standing and can say for some of the
:15:21. > :15:27.implementation bodies are created on the Strand to the agreement? Does he
:15:28. > :15:29.appreciate that stranded to after-hours common implementation
:15:30. > :15:40.that could help to answer some of the problems Brexit creates. --
:15:41. > :15:44.offers a common implementation. There was a discussion to EU and
:15:45. > :15:48.related issues and I think it is important to recognise institutional
:15:49. > :15:52.framework we have under the Belfast agreement. That is something we
:15:53. > :15:54.support. I would draw the honourable gentleman 's attention to the White
:15:55. > :16:00.Paper that highlighted that support and highlighted are recognition of
:16:01. > :16:05.it. The Secretary of State will attend a belligerent utterance of
:16:06. > :16:09.the former Sinn Fein director of Unionist engagement who said the
:16:10. > :16:15.Prime Minister can stack are hard or soft border with the sun doesn't
:16:16. > :16:19.shine. Can I invite the Secretary of State to remind Martina Anderson and
:16:20. > :16:23.all those in Sinn Fein that the Good Friday Agreement is based on the
:16:24. > :16:31.majority will of the people and it has not changed. We do stand behind
:16:32. > :16:33.the Belfast agreement and the consent contained within it but I
:16:34. > :16:38.know the right honourable gentleman will affect for the Prime Minister
:16:39. > :16:41.said yesterday. There are significant issues we recognise
:16:42. > :16:45.which is why we have said we do not want to see a return to borders of
:16:46. > :16:51.the past while we recognise a desire for the expansive free trade with
:16:52. > :16:53.the EU and it is important that we continue that dialogue that
:16:54. > :16:59.discourse and focus on the important issues. My honourable friend is
:17:00. > :17:04.quite right to refer to the role of the Irish Government and I pray to
:17:05. > :17:06.Secretary of State for the good working relationship he has
:17:07. > :17:14.established a Minister Flanagan. May I thank him for the statements made
:17:15. > :17:19.by his minister yesterday at yet another one of the many St Patrick's
:17:20. > :17:25.Day celebrations when he not only paid tribute to the role of our core
:17:26. > :17:28.guarantor to the Good Friday Agreement, the Good Friday
:17:29. > :17:41.Agreement, but the ambassador who leaving us far Dublin. I have
:17:42. > :17:45.enjoyed and appreciated working with them and we wish them well on his
:17:46. > :17:49.new and perhaps challenging and exciting new role he has and wish
:17:50. > :17:52.them well in that context. I think it is important to underline that
:17:53. > :17:57.the strong relationship we have at the Irish Government on a range of
:17:58. > :18:00.issues. Like to see that continue in the future and that engagement will
:18:01. > :18:12.be continued with that spirit and mind. -- spirit in mind. With
:18:13. > :18:18.permission, I would like to answer questions and four, seven, nine and
:18:19. > :18:22.ten together. Nearly 65% of the Northern Ireland electorate voted
:18:23. > :18:26.for continued devolved Government. I have seen a shared willingness of
:18:27. > :18:31.the parties to engage in intense discussions acknowledging what is to
:18:32. > :18:37.be at stake if an executive is the ball. I believe that with continued
:18:38. > :18:44.positive intent we can secure a resolution that sees devolved
:18:45. > :18:47.Government return. I welcome that and the economic success story that
:18:48. > :18:52.is the Northern Irish economy over the past two years. Would my right
:18:53. > :18:56.honourable friend agree that a key part of that success has been
:18:57. > :18:59.effective stable power-sharing Government which is another reason
:19:00. > :19:05.for all parties to resolve this as swiftly as possible? I do recognise
:19:06. > :19:08.that my honourable friend is right to highlight some of the really
:19:09. > :19:12.important successes we have seen at the Northern Ireland economy and I
:19:13. > :19:21.would point again to the Labour Martic survey statistics -- market.
:19:22. > :19:27.60,000 more jobs in 2010 underlining what has been achieved and can be
:19:28. > :19:31.achieved with a strong executive in case. I wish my right honourable
:19:32. > :19:34.friend well in the discussions currently taking place in Northern
:19:35. > :19:40.Ireland. As he agree that whatever the issues need to be devolved
:19:41. > :19:46.Government remains far and away the best option for Northern Ireland
:19:47. > :19:50.within the UK? I strongly agree with what my honourable friend said. I
:19:51. > :19:54.think that the public voted overwhelmingly and very clearly with
:19:55. > :19:57.that increased turnout to see devolved Government back into place
:19:58. > :20:02.delivering for Northern Ireland and that is what I'm determined to see
:20:03. > :20:08.as well. Does my right honourable friend agree that the results of the
:20:09. > :20:11.assembly election demonstrated the overwhelming majority of people in
:20:12. > :20:19.Northern Ireland desire is strong and stable the bold Government? Yes
:20:20. > :20:23.I do and it is that stability that is able to bring about further
:20:24. > :20:28.positive change of Northern Ireland, releasing further foreign direct
:20:29. > :20:32.investment coming and more jobs created or stop that is why I
:20:33. > :20:38.strongly supported I do know that vision is shared by the parties.
:20:39. > :20:44.Will he confirm that in all the Government the Government will
:20:45. > :20:48.maintain full that support for the Belfast agreement? And particularly
:20:49. > :20:50.that the position of Northern Ireland within the union will always
:20:51. > :21:00.be determined by the principle of consent? A smack all the
:21:01. > :21:08.discussions. -- all the discussions. We do and I'm also very clear that
:21:09. > :21:14.the support we see of the institutions and structures. Can I
:21:15. > :21:18.offer condolences to those who lost life this week particularly those
:21:19. > :21:23.may the Irish coastguard who do so much good work in the north and
:21:24. > :21:26.particularly in my constituency of Southdown. Brexit is a crucial
:21:27. > :21:28.factor in the current political landscape in Northern Ireland and
:21:29. > :21:35.should be part of the ongoing talks process. Can the Secretary of State
:21:36. > :21:40.confirm that the issue of single stat this way you're not going back
:21:41. > :21:51.to any borders is a feature of the stocks? -- of these talks. We
:21:52. > :21:55.recognise the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland and is economy
:21:56. > :22:00.and geography and history and ensure these are properly taken into
:22:01. > :22:05.account as we prepare for EU exit. We want to ensure those issues are
:22:06. > :22:10.properly in the negotiations ahead to get the best possible deal for
:22:11. > :22:16.Northern Ireland. What does the Secretary of State see as a great
:22:17. > :22:19.stumbling blocks in the current process and how confident is either
:22:20. > :22:24.a deal will be established by March 27? As I have indicated a tanker
:22:25. > :22:29.deal can be achieved with goodwill and with a real sense of urgency
:22:30. > :22:35.with the discussions ahead. There are issues that still need to be
:22:36. > :22:38.overcome. I do not think it would be helpful to provide that running a
:22:39. > :22:43.narrative that I have already said I think would not be constructive. I
:22:44. > :22:46.would urge people to continue to engage and continue to be involved
:22:47. > :22:59.in intensive talks because that is the way we will do it. Sammy Wilson.
:23:00. > :23:01.Can I extend my condolences to my constituent Mr Gummer who was
:23:02. > :23:15.murdered by pal acknowledges this week. -- Gilmore. -- paramilitaries.
:23:16. > :23:19.Does he hold out much chance of success in these talks and if not
:23:20. > :23:26.will he moved quickly to fill a budget gap left by Sinn Fein? I
:23:27. > :23:32.think this remains doable and I think that is important message we
:23:33. > :23:36.need to underline. Time is short and there are a range of issues that
:23:37. > :23:43.still need to be discussed and agreed upon. I think it is that need
:23:44. > :23:55.for our positive tent and all sides and that the best way. -- positive
:23:56. > :23:59.intent. These are extremely matters affecting Northern Ireland whose
:24:00. > :24:14.people might think it extremely and courteous if we do not have an
:24:15. > :24:17.intent healing. -- healing. Will the Secretary of State agree that there
:24:18. > :24:19.is some information that is so sensitive it could never going to
:24:20. > :24:26.the public domain because it would put lives at risk? I do agree.
:24:27. > :24:33.Although experience as a previous of state. -- with that experience as a
:24:34. > :24:37.previous Secretary of State she knows national security remains our
:24:38. > :24:40.primary responsibility of the United Kingdom Government and we would
:24:41. > :24:44.continue to have that at the forefront of our minds. Minister
:24:45. > :25:06.Hopkins. He can bask in his unpopularity. I
:25:07. > :25:11.take it was not for me. It ensures cross-party communication and the
:25:12. > :25:16.Government is committed to upholding the constitutional settlement as
:25:17. > :25:19.outlined in the Belfast agreement and its successors. The priority
:25:20. > :25:24.must be to persuade all the parties back into Government in Northern
:25:25. > :25:27.Ireland to avoid the prospect of direct rule. Given the recent
:25:28. > :25:31.instability and longer term is not worth having a discussion about
:25:32. > :25:39.having a new form of Government involving our Government and
:25:40. > :25:45.opposition? I thank him for his question that would not consider a
:25:46. > :25:50.review at this moment in time. The focus is helping the parties come
:25:51. > :25:55.back together and form an executive. As the talks emerge over the next
:25:56. > :25:58.two weeks with the Minister of State agree that a likely consensus is
:25:59. > :26:04.going to emerge around the Stormont House agreement and all of the
:26:05. > :26:08.content spelling and that we should base progress and hopefully
:26:09. > :26:14.agreement that rather than wish list which have no opportunity of
:26:15. > :26:17.success? I think it would be appropriate to build around the
:26:18. > :26:20.common consensus that has opened at the moment. There were already been
:26:21. > :26:28.agreements around Stormont House and that will be the centrepoint our
:26:29. > :26:32.talks of the moment. The Government will continue to use every possible
:26:33. > :26:44.opportunity to promote Northern Ireland as a world-class to list
:26:45. > :26:48.destination. -- tourists. Tourism in Northern Ireland generates ?764
:26:49. > :26:51.million and attracts 4.5 million visitors a year. In light of Brexit
:26:52. > :26:59.what steps will be taking a partnership to ensure that even
:27:00. > :27:02.further tourist growth is delivered? There is commitment for industrial
:27:03. > :27:07.strategy and engagement with all sectors at the moment in Northern
:27:08. > :27:11.Ireland and also additional funding of ?600 million per year for the
:27:12. > :27:21.great campaign. Doctor Alistair MacDonald. Does the Secretary of
:27:22. > :27:26.State accept that tourism has the potential to make an even greater
:27:27. > :27:30.contribution to the Northern Ireland economy and will he take steps to
:27:31. > :27:33.ensure there are adequate resources invested in the Northern Irish
:27:34. > :27:44.tourist board and tourism in Ireland to ensure that we marketed? Just
:27:45. > :27:49.last week the Chancellor committed additional money to fund in Northern
:27:50. > :27:53.Ireland. I would say that is the responsibility to get an executive
:27:54. > :27:56.back. To every member of this household go and visit Northern
:27:57. > :28:08.Ireland and take a weekend break an amazing place to visit. Sir Geoffrey
:28:09. > :28:17.Donaldson. In the wake of the judgment. Number eight. This
:28:18. > :28:19.Government is unstinting in admiration of their role our Armed
:28:20. > :28:26.Forces played in Northern Ireland and the democracy that is secured.
:28:27. > :28:33.The current process is addressed in the past is not working as my friend
:28:34. > :28:37.the Secretary of State said earlier and new legal bodies will be in
:28:38. > :28:45.place by fair balance in the system. S the honourable gentleman. In the
:28:46. > :28:51.wake of the scrapping of the Iraq enquiries and the judgment today in
:28:52. > :28:54.the case of Alexander Blackman is it not time that the Government
:28:55. > :29:02.provided legal protection to the men and woman who serve this country on
:29:03. > :29:07.the front line? This Government is never moves away its obligation to
:29:08. > :29:11.care for those veterans and what I would say is I know you're very
:29:12. > :29:15.passionate about looking after our Armed Forces personnel. If you would
:29:16. > :29:19.like to meet and discuss this further I am more than willing to do
:29:20. > :29:21.that. Questions to the Prime Minister.