0:00:17 > 0:00:23Hello and welcome to the programme. Paramilitaries, the public purse
0:00:23 > 0:00:27and the past, some of the themes up for discussion in Parliament. The
0:00:27 > 0:00:33Secretary of State answers the questions. We will hear about that
0:00:33 > 0:00:37shorter but now, our political correspondent joins me. It has been
0:00:37 > 0:00:43entertaining up at Hillsborough Castle. The President was therefore
0:00:43 > 0:00:51a bit of a bash. That's right, she had some -- she had a dinner at the
0:00:51 > 0:00:55castle, and she prepares to leave office, and a new election. So Owen
0:00:55 > 0:01:00Paterson, he's going to be busy. First up, a question from a former
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Northern Ireland Office minister on the issue of paramilitary threat
0:01:03 > 0:01:09and threat from dissidents and what discussions he has had over that
0:01:09 > 0:01:14issue. And, very often, it is not just the Secretary of State but his
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Minister of State as well who is up to discuss things. We will have to
0:01:18 > 0:01:21wait and see whether he will make an appearance but the former
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Secretary of State Paul Murphy had a key role in the Good Friday
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Agreement along with Mo Mowlam and he has the second question, wanting
0:01:29 > 0:01:34to know about what Owen Paterson is doing in terms of publishing his
0:01:34 > 0:01:38own conclusions about dealing with the past. Given the Northern
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Ireland Office has been stripped bare by devolution, dealing with
0:01:41 > 0:01:49the past is a big issue for Owen Paterson and how he will address
0:01:49 > 0:01:52the issue of victims' rights, the truth Commission. And Shaun
0:01:52 > 0:02:00Woodward is no more as Shadow Secretary of State. A very familiar
0:02:00 > 0:02:04face. That's right. There was a reshuffle earlier this month, and
0:02:04 > 0:02:09the Shadow Secretary of State was replaced by a Vernon Coaker. Shaun
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Woodward told my BBC colleagues that he had asked to stand down
0:02:13 > 0:02:18after the election, he had told Ed Miliband that he wanted to go and
0:02:18 > 0:02:22focus on his constituency and that has happened. We can get a bit more
0:02:22 > 0:02:27information on Vernon Coaker because we will go to Westminster
0:02:27 > 0:02:33and our correspondent is there in the lovely Gothic interior of the
0:02:33 > 0:02:37House of Commons. Vernon Coaker, tell us about him. He has been a
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Labour MP since 1997. He was a whip in the House of Commons with
0:02:41 > 0:02:45responsibility for Northern Ireland, so a lot of MPs know him, people
0:02:45 > 0:02:51from the DUP, SDLP, but he doesn't know too many people within Sinn
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Fein, but he is a familiar face in the House of Commons. He was
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Schools Minister during the last Labour administration, a minister
0:02:58 > 0:03:00in the Home Office, said he has governmental experience so when it
0:03:00 > 0:03:05comes to the nuts and bolts of Government departments and how
0:03:05 > 0:03:10things work, he has an idea. When it comes to Northern Ireland
0:03:10 > 0:03:14affairs, he is on a pretty steep learning curve, I will suggest.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19will be. When you look at the agenda and you think of things like
0:03:19 > 0:03:23corporation tax, and all kinds of things, a great remit of things he
0:03:23 > 0:03:27will have to get his things around -- head around, he knows the
0:03:27 > 0:03:30personalities but he has to get his head around the policies. He said
0:03:30 > 0:03:34he wanted some time to read into the situation but he hasn't had
0:03:34 > 0:03:37much time because here we are today with the first Northern Ireland
0:03:37 > 0:03:42questions and he has got to get his head around all of these different
0:03:42 > 0:03:47subjects. Why did Shaun Woodward go? Do we know? I spoke to him last
0:03:47 > 0:03:52week and there were rumours as to whether he was shoved or pushed or
0:03:52 > 0:03:55he went voluntarily. He told me he had been Secretary of State in
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Northern Ireland, he had served there, then he became Shadow
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Secretary of State when Labour went into opposition. He said he told Ed
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Miliband that he wanted to change. He said he wanted to go some time
0:04:07 > 0:04:12ago and when he knew, he sensed a reshuffle was coming in the autumn,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15he then said to Ed Miliband a number of days ago that he didn't
0:04:15 > 0:04:20want to be considered for the Shadow Cabinet. He told them he
0:04:20 > 0:04:23wanted to leave the Shadow cabinet and therefore Ed Miliband has
0:04:23 > 0:04:28decided to put Vernon Coaker in place. In Prime Minister's
0:04:28 > 0:04:32questions which follows this, there is often needle between Mrs Cameron
0:04:32 > 0:04:38and Miliband, and that was the same between Shaun Woodward and Vernon
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Coaker. It was quite personal, wasn't it? I think they will be
0:04:41 > 0:04:45very different characters. Vernon Coaker, if you talk to people in
0:04:45 > 0:04:49the House of Commons, they say he is very amiable and he has made it
0:04:49 > 0:04:52clear to me, he said he will support the Government when he
0:04:52 > 0:04:55feels it is necessary to support the Government, but he will
0:04:55 > 0:04:58criticise the Government when pupils it is necessary and although
0:04:58 > 0:05:03this is his first Northern Ireland questions, he appeared in the
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Commons last week when Owen Paterson made his statement about
0:05:07 > 0:05:12the pact and Lucan murder and he did criticise the Government
0:05:12 > 0:05:15because he said they should be holding an inquiry. Stephen, thank
0:05:16 > 0:05:23you. Let's move from the Gothic interior from the lobby into the
0:05:23 > 0:05:27House of Commons itself where the questions have just started. We
0:05:27 > 0:05:34have seen Owen Paterson and asked - - Mr Squire on the bench, and now
0:05:34 > 0:05:40he's been asked questions from one of the backbenchers. There is
0:05:40 > 0:05:45Alasdair McDonnell. Let's go live to the House of, this.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48-- to the House of Commons. entirely endorse his comments. It
0:05:48 > 0:05:55is quite extraordinary when you think that city is coming together,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59united behind the City of Culture, which is coming along soon, this
0:05:59 > 0:06:03tiny number of people could do such a crazily reckless thing. I think
0:06:03 > 0:06:07the demonstration of people coming out onto the street it really shows
0:06:07 > 0:06:11the support there is full settlement and the PSNI, and
0:06:11 > 0:06:17battles and Dolls this morning when I had the conversation with Mr
0:06:17 > 0:06:19David Ford. Does my honourable friend agree the recent unanimous
0:06:19 > 0:06:22support for the police service in Northern Ireland to deal with the
0:06:22 > 0:06:28dissident threat from all sides of the Northern Ireland Assembly sends
0:06:28 > 0:06:31a clear message these organisations will not succeed? I am grateful to
0:06:31 > 0:06:34my honourable friend for that question and it follows on from
0:06:34 > 0:06:37what I have said that he is right to draw attention to the fact we
0:06:37 > 0:06:41have a police service which is wholly accountable to a
0:06:41 > 0:06:49democratically elected Justice Minister and a democratically
0:06:49 > 0:06:54elected Policing Board on which all parties sit. Mr Patrick Mercer. Not
0:06:54 > 0:06:58here. Could the Secretary of State tell me whether the situation, the
0:06:58 > 0:07:06security situation, his was alternative might better a Europe -
0:07:06 > 0:07:13- than it was a year ago? grateful for that quest from -- I
0:07:13 > 0:07:17am grateful. We have put in more resources back 10th by the
0:07:17 > 0:07:23Executive. In discussions with the Pearson night, we are determined to
0:07:23 > 0:07:28bear down on these groups that are dangerous and we are not complacent
0:07:28 > 0:07:33about them. To answer directly her question, we have brought the
0:07:33 > 0:07:38increase that we saw when we came in, we have slowed that down. None
0:07:38 > 0:07:41of us should underestimate the danger the small number of people
0:07:41 > 0:07:47represent to not just the police but to people going about their
0:07:47 > 0:07:51everyday business. In terms of combating the dissident terrorist
0:07:51 > 0:07:57threat, and I endorse what he has said earlier already to the House
0:07:57 > 0:08:00in terms of the lack of support for these groups in Northern Ireland,
0:08:00 > 0:08:04can visited troops date indicate what he is doing to strike up
0:08:04 > 0:08:08social funding of these groups in terms of the raising of finances,
0:08:08 > 0:08:14particularly through illicit fuel laundering and other sources of Ron
0:08:14 > 0:08:18-- revenue? Can you indicate what is happening to tackle that? Gives
0:08:18 > 0:08:22me an opportunity to make clear to the House the remarkable success
0:08:22 > 0:08:28the PSNI have pulled off stopping fuel laundering and also there have
0:08:28 > 0:08:30been some significant arrests of illegal cigarettes. I think if that
0:08:30 > 0:08:38we should remember the extraordinary level of co-operation
0:08:38 > 0:08:44we have between the PSNI and Garda working bedsides of the border. --
0:08:44 > 0:08:48working both sides. As well as financing and helping the dissident
0:08:48 > 0:08:52terrorists he will know that one of the things that dissident terrorist
0:08:52 > 0:08:57thrive on is the hope they are dictating the Government's agenda.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01On that point, they have taken great comfort and solace from the
0:09:01 > 0:09:07fact the Ministry of Defence decided not to allow a homecoming
0:09:07 > 0:09:10parade for the Royal Irish and the Irish Guards in Belfast. Can I ask
0:09:10 > 0:09:13the Secretary of State to continue his efforts to speak to the
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Ministry of Defence about that issue which has gone down very
0:09:16 > 0:09:21badly in all quarters in Northern Ireland, especially when such Brits
0:09:21 > 0:09:28have been allowed elsewhere throughout the province. -- when
0:09:28 > 0:09:33such parades. I can clarify have regular discussions with the
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Ministry of Defence. I did actually go to Balmoral Showground with the
0:09:37 > 0:09:42First Minister. That was when the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Guards put on a wonderful demonstration and were warmly
0:09:46 > 0:09:56welcomed by large numbers of people. And that was agreed by the Ministry
0:09:56 > 0:09:57
0:09:57 > 0:10:02of Defence with the city council. Recently, there have been two bombs
0:10:02 > 0:10:06found in South -- South Belfast, Bradbury plays and a pipe bomb left
0:10:06 > 0:10:10on the windowsill of a home in additions to the other bombs and
0:10:10 > 0:10:14outrage is the Secretary of State will be aware of. This is totally
0:10:14 > 0:10:18unacceptable because people have a right to live without fear and
0:10:18 > 0:10:24intimidation and it is a welcome these attacks have been widely
0:10:24 > 0:10:27condemned. A small number of people seem to be determined to turn the
0:10:27 > 0:10:30clock back but can the Secretary of State tell us what is the latest
0:10:31 > 0:10:36assessment that he and the Northern Ireland Executive have made about
0:10:36 > 0:10:40the dissident's capabilities and what steps they have taken to
0:10:40 > 0:10:45combat those activities? I would like to welcome the honourable
0:10:45 > 0:10:48member to his first Northern Ireland questions. As I said in a
0:10:48 > 0:10:53statement last week, I think Northern Ireland will not progress
0:10:53 > 0:10:56to where it has without the extremely close co-operation of the
0:10:56 > 0:11:00main political parties, not just in the UK but in Dublin and Washington
0:11:00 > 0:11:06and I very much look forward to working with him and I wish him
0:11:07 > 0:11:09well in his difficult role. As he knows, we were extremely closely
0:11:09 > 0:11:14with the Justice Minister David Ford and as I have said we work
0:11:14 > 0:11:19closely with the authorities in Dublin. Our assessment is that
0:11:19 > 0:11:22these groups are still dangers. He has cited a number of incidents
0:11:22 > 0:11:27which are absolutely outrageous, they are wholly exceptional because
0:11:27 > 0:11:31the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want to grab this
0:11:31 > 0:11:35opportunity and move Northern Ireland on. We will guarantee to
0:11:35 > 0:11:40work extremely closely with the PSNI, Justice Minister and with the
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Garda in Dublin. I would like to thank the Secretary of State for
0:11:44 > 0:11:48his kind words and I will certainly try to work with him and others for
0:11:48 > 0:11:52the good of the people of Northern Ireland. Can I ask the Secretary of
0:11:53 > 0:11:57State to tell us what plans he has to use his role working with
0:11:57 > 0:12:02Northern Ireland ministerial colleagues to promote Londonderry
0:12:02 > 0:12:07and Derry as the UK's City of Culture 2013 both nationally and
0:12:07 > 0:12:11internationally? Isn't the case as my honourable friend said this will
0:12:11 > 0:12:15be one very powerful way of combating any dissident threat by
0:12:15 > 0:12:19offering a positive image of what the City and the whole of Northern
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Ireland can offer in terms of culture and be a true reflection of
0:12:22 > 0:12:30the people of Northern Ireland in stark contrast to those who said
0:12:30 > 0:12:34recently caused outrage -- who so recently caused -- caused outrage?
0:12:34 > 0:12:38I totally endorse that question. I was at the launch of the City of
0:12:38 > 0:12:46Culture with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. The
0:12:46 > 0:12:49young people put on a film and the soundtrack which wowed the judges.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53That was the thing that really swung it. But was a complete
0:12:53 > 0:12:57celebration of everything good that is going on in that city as was the
0:12:57 > 0:13:00opening of the bridge and this tiny number of crazy people putting
0:13:00 > 0:13:06bombs outside offices are not representative and they will not
0:13:06 > 0:13:14succeed. We will now move on with rather greater dispatch, I hope.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Number two, Mr Speaker. honourable friend the Minister of
0:13:17 > 0:13:21State and I have been meeting with a range of political parties and
0:13:21 > 0:13:26victims' groups to discuss the issue of dealing with the past. So
0:13:26 > 0:13:33far, we have not found consensus. What the Government has a role to
0:13:33 > 0:13:36play, the way forward must come from within Northern Ireland.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Secretary of State is right that solutions must come within Northern
0:13:40 > 0:13:45Ireland but he will realise there is widespread opposition to his
0:13:45 > 0:13:49proposal for a semi- inquiry into the pad for Lucan case and I wonder
0:13:49 > 0:13:55if he understands that by going ahead with this proposal, �1.5
0:13:55 > 0:14:00million is likely to be wasted and will he now rethink it? I am
0:14:00 > 0:14:06grateful for my honourable friend's question and as I paid tribute last
0:14:06 > 0:14:11week in the statement, I am sorry that we disagree on this. He
0:14:11 > 0:14:18committed to a public inquiry but he then passed the inquiries Act
0:14:18 > 0:14:23and we know that was the stumbling block and week -- and we inherited
0:14:23 > 0:14:28an impasse. By accepting the conclusion of the Stevens inquiry,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32possibly the largest police inquiry in history, by having the family in
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Downing Street for an apology, we will concentrate on what is
0:14:36 > 0:14:41important which I raised with the family which is to get to the truth
0:14:41 > 0:14:44as fast as possible. That is why we have gone down this road,
0:14:44 > 0:14:51appointing a well respected international lawyer, giving him
0:14:51 > 0:14:55powers to get to the truth by December next year. Could I thank
0:14:55 > 0:14:59the Secretary of State for his answer, but could I also say that
0:14:59 > 0:15:04given the political sensitivity surrounding legacy issues and in
0:15:04 > 0:15:12view of the fact the greatest legacy issue in Northern Ireland is
0:15:12 > 0:15:16that about the murder of Pat, Wilkie reflect on the comments by
0:15:16 > 0:15:20the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Dublin and by the members of the
0:15:20 > 0:15:25family and realise this could undermine the very architecture of
0:15:25 > 0:15:32the Good Friday Agreement? Will he redress the situation and ensure
0:15:32 > 0:15:38there is an end to end up -- an independent inquiry? I'm afraid I
0:15:39 > 0:15:46simply don't agree. We inherited an impasse. We have come up with
0:15:46 > 0:15:50solutions and I have talked to senior members of the Irish
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Government, and on this issue we will disagree with them. We will
0:15:55 > 0:15:59not let this one issue undermine the extraordinary good relations we
0:15:59 > 0:16:03have with the Republic, nor will we let it undermines the settlement,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06and if she had been at Hillsborough last night and seeing people from
0:16:06 > 0:16:09right across the Community welcoming the President, should
0:16:09 > 0:16:17have seen just how far Northern Ireland has moved on and we are
0:16:17 > 0:16:24determined to keep that going. legacy issue that has never been
0:16:24 > 0:16:32addressed is the role played by elements of the Republic of
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Ireland's financing of the IRA. Does the Secretary of State accept
0:16:37 > 0:16:42the family is in Birmingham, Warrington, London and Aldershot
0:16:42 > 0:16:45and elsewhere deserve to see Enda Kenny a step up to the mark,
0:16:45 > 0:16:52acknowledge the failings of the southern Government and formally
0:16:52 > 0:16:55apologise for those killings? grateful for that question. That
0:16:56 > 0:16:59question is outside my remit. If he has questions which you would like
0:16:59 > 0:17:08to address to the Government of the Republic, he should write to them
0:17:08 > 0:17:14directly. Number four, please, on Mr Speaker. In September, the
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Government set up the steps we are taking on the West Lothian question.
0:17:17 > 0:17:23We will continue to have regular discussions with the Deputy Prime
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Minister and his office. Minister will know the West Lothian
0:17:28 > 0:17:31question is known as the West Belfast question. Does the Minister
0:17:31 > 0:17:36agree that it is important that the commission come to a conclusion
0:17:36 > 0:17:41relatively quickly in order for steps to be taken to resolve this
0:17:41 > 0:17:45tricky constitutional issue before the next election? Yes, I do
0:17:45 > 0:17:50actually believe, as does the Government, that we do need this
0:17:50 > 0:17:54commission. I think we will hear quite sure to the terms of
0:17:54 > 0:17:58reference of this commission when it is set up and it should conclude
0:17:58 > 0:18:03quite quickly thereafter, but, no doubt, the honourable lady, coup
0:18:03 > 0:18:10has campaigned assiduously, will wish to give them the benefit of
0:18:10 > 0:18:15her view. Does the Minister of State agree that the creation of a
0:18:15 > 0:18:18two Tear Parliament here would be against the interests of a United
0:18:18 > 0:18:24Kingdom and the interests of Unionism in all of the United
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Kingdom? And does he further agree that if he were to proceed along
0:18:28 > 0:18:33the way of the West Lothian question, he would have to stand at
0:18:33 > 0:18:40that dispatch box and a queue for double-jobbing, and is that not
0:18:40 > 0:18:44against the interests -- interest of his Government? He knows our
0:18:44 > 0:18:47views on double-jobbing when it comes to Northern Ireland and he
0:18:47 > 0:18:51will know my views that everybody in this place is equal and that is
0:18:51 > 0:18:55quite right. I take a rather more positive view than the honourable
0:18:55 > 0:19:00gentleman. The governments in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and the
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Executive in Northern Ireland are up and running and we need to see
0:19:03 > 0:19:08how parliamentary business, this is what we were that bad, the business
0:19:08 > 0:19:10of this House, how that can be done better to reflect a post devolution
0:19:11 > 0:19:20United Kingdom which should reinforce the strength of the union
0:19:21 > 0:19:27
0:19:27 > 0:19:32which is something I and he Following discussions a good
0:19:32 > 0:19:36consultation paper was set out in August proposing the transfer of
0:19:36 > 0:19:39the regulation for Northern Ireland credit unions to the FSA on 31st
0:19:39 > 0:19:43March 2012. There are far too many private
0:19:43 > 0:19:48conversations taking place on the chamber. I would have thought
0:19:48 > 0:19:52everybody would want to hear Mr Mark Durkan.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Can affect the Minister for that reply. Tomorrow is international
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Credit Union day. Credit unions have been waiting for this change
0:19:59 > 0:20:04for a long time so they can offer a greater range of services to their
0:20:04 > 0:20:08members. Will the Minister assure us his work with Treasury ministers
0:20:08 > 0:20:11will mean the primary legislation will be adequate, the secondary
0:20:11 > 0:20:18legislation will follow past, and the transition arrangements will
0:20:18 > 0:20:22have a strong regional presence so that credit unions can work with
0:20:22 > 0:20:26the new regulators to make a success of the new powers?
0:20:26 > 0:20:29I congratulate the honourable gentleman for many years
0:20:29 > 0:20:35championing the cause of credit unions and that of his predecessor
0:20:35 > 0:20:39as well. 177 credit unions in Northern Ireland. Part of a big
0:20:39 > 0:20:44society Agenda, we think they're great institutions, we were meant
0:20:44 > 0:20:49to expand. He will agree what is important during this change is
0:20:49 > 0:20:53that those people with their money in these credit unions are probably
0:20:53 > 0:21:03-- protected and he will no doubt welcome the move to come under the
0:21:03 > 0:21:04
0:21:04 > 0:21:10FSA to protect them. The Right Honourable Gentleman will
0:21:10 > 0:21:15surely remember that a well-crafted and consensual labour bill to
0:21:15 > 0:21:18address precisely this issue was presented to the house in the last
0:21:18 > 0:21:24Parliament and Crawley garrotted during the wash up. Does he regret
0:21:24 > 0:21:34the actions of his party? I don't believe the Labour Party
0:21:34 > 0:21:39
0:21:39 > 0:21:41got everything wrong, just most I have had regular discussions with
0:21:41 > 0:21:45my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer who
0:21:45 > 0:21:47came to Northern Ireland in June and had first and from local
0:21:47 > 0:21:52businesses the importance of this issue and became personally
0:21:52 > 0:21:55involved in resolving it. As a result he announced a cut in air
0:21:55 > 0:21:59passenger duty next month for all Derek long-haul flights from
0:21:59 > 0:22:03airport in Northern Ireland. -- direct.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Can I welcome yesterday's announcement and just say how
0:22:07 > 0:22:11encouraging it is to other parts of the UK who think this particular
0:22:11 > 0:22:16tax is unfair. Cadet ask the Minister to keep the house updated
0:22:16 > 0:22:23over the progress of this cut in tax so we may learn something and
0:22:24 > 0:22:26get a change in other parts of the UK. He has asked me to stray into
0:22:27 > 0:22:30areas which are not my possibility but I would like to pay tribute to
0:22:30 > 0:22:33him and his friends on the knowledge that -- Northern Ireland
0:22:33 > 0:22:43affairs committee who made a convincing case for this. I would
0:22:43 > 0:22:48like to become record this was a team effort. A key person was the
0:22:49 > 0:22:54Chancellor who really did see the need for this following his visit
0:22:54 > 0:22:58to hand it gave it a personal interest and pushed it through.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Can I thank the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of Exchequer for
0:23:02 > 0:23:06taking a very swift and timely action with regards to air
0:23:06 > 0:23:10passenger duty in Northern Ireland. Can ask the Secretary of State when
0:23:10 > 0:23:18he will consider giving the power to set the levels of corporation
0:23:18 > 0:23:21tax to the Northern Ireland Assembly?
0:23:21 > 0:23:26I would like to thank him for leading the committee and getting a
0:23:26 > 0:23:30report through. I announced two weeks ago there would be a
0:23:30 > 0:23:36ministerial working group set up chaired by my Honourable Friend the
0:23:36 > 0:23:46Exchequer, secretary, and that hopes to meet in early November.
0:23:46 > 0:23:46
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Could ask the Secretary of State if he is in any discussions with
0:23:51 > 0:23:59members of the Northern Ireland Executive about the abolish it of
0:23:59 > 0:24:05other taxes in Northern Ireland? -- abolition.
0:24:05 > 0:24:12I am sure the Honourable Gentleman meant to mention that. I have
0:24:12 > 0:24:19discussed air passenger duty with the Executive, and I have discussed
0:24:19 > 0:24:24corporation tax. And have not discussed any other taxes.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27With respect to the devolution of our passenger duty will the
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Secretary of State be pressing for a swift timetable to take that
0:24:31 > 0:24:39forward and look at other double- digit taxation caused by people who
0:24:39 > 0:24:43have to travel three G B airport? - - travel through airports in Great
0:24:44 > 0:24:50Britain. The economic secretary put out a statement yesterday
0:24:50 > 0:24:54confirming that from the 1st November the long haul rate will be
0:24:54 > 0:24:58reduced and I hope to see that followed three swiftly by the
0:24:58 > 0:25:07Treasury who are working closely with Executive ministers are so
0:25:07 > 0:25:11that this particular issue can be It is clear from the discussions I
0:25:11 > 0:25:15have had with the political parties in Northern Ireland they want
0:25:15 > 0:25:25greater transparency over donations and loans. We will legislate to
0:25:25 > 0:25:26
0:25:26 > 0:25:30deliver us as soon as we can. He will appreciate that the
0:25:30 > 0:25:34continuing of the special measures required in Northern Ireland, can
0:25:34 > 0:25:39he exactly when he proposes to legislate on this issue at way Sinn
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Fein will no longer get their special money?
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I have extended the current arrangements for looked at least
0:25:47 > 0:25:50until 2013 and hope to return to the house before them. On the
0:25:50 > 0:25:55subject of Sinn Fein I would point out to him Sinn Fein are subject to
0:25:55 > 0:26:00the same requirement of all other parties, donations over 7,500 badge
0:26:00 > 0:26:03must be reported to the electoral committee but we want to move to a
0:26:03 > 0:26:08period of full transparency but the time has not yet right.
0:26:08 > 0:26:17The house must come to order. The next questioner is a former
0:26:17 > 0:26:22Northern Ireland minister, I expect to you will want to hear.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I am in regular contact with Executive ministers and I fully
0:26:25 > 0:26:33understand the importance of the aviation ministry to Northern
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Ireland, one of whom is Bombardier airspace I will be saying shortly.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42Can I welcome the Government's decision to reduce air passenger
0:26:42 > 0:26:46duty on long-haul flights? This creates a new anomaly whereby if
0:26:46 > 0:26:51you pay tax on a return flight from Belfast to New York you will pay
0:26:51 > 0:26:56less tax than you would a reflect - - return flight to Manchester.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Given the importance of regional routes to the Northern Ireland's
0:26:59 > 0:27:04economy would depress the Chancellor for a lower rate of duty
0:27:04 > 0:27:06on flights between Belfast and regional airports in the UK?
0:27:06 > 0:27:10We have been pressing the Chancellor on quite a lot of things
0:27:10 > 0:27:14recently and I am not sure we would depress her much more. As the Right
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Honourable Gentleman knows Northern Ireland shares a land border and
0:27:18 > 0:27:22the flight from Dublin were cheaper, that was the problem. We are
0:27:22 > 0:27:25grateful for the Treasury to reckoning -- recognising the
0:27:25 > 0:27:28anomaly and any other airlines listening in may well wish to take
0:27:28 > 0:27:34advantage because we want to grow air traffic to Northern Ireland as
0:27:35 > 0:27:39part of rebalancing the economy. We all agree with the recent
0:27:39 > 0:27:43announcement regarding the continental airline transatlantic
0:27:43 > 0:27:46route but will the Minister make himself available so that if other
0:27:46 > 0:27:51routes become possibilities from all three airports in Northern
0:27:51 > 0:28:01Ireland on a transatlantic scene, they would be able to assist him
0:28:01 > 0:28:03more progress on those issues? Of course we will. The key is the
0:28:03 > 0:28:11transfer of a P D T the Executive in terms of this transatlantic
0:28:11 > 0:28:15route. -- airport passenger duty. The Honourable Gentleman may wish
0:28:15 > 0:28:20to make his representations to them, but we are investing in growing air
0:28:20 > 0:28:27routes to Northern Ireland, not least in growing more routes for
0:28:27 > 0:28:35from Great Britain into Belfast or any other airports, we would more
0:28:35 > 0:28:40growth. Tackling youth unemployment is a
0:28:40 > 0:28:43key priority for the UK government and Northern Ireland ministers. The
0:28:43 > 0:28:46minister for welfare reform has visited Northern Ireland on two
0:28:46 > 0:28:50occasions and met with the social development and employment and
0:28:50 > 0:28:54learning ministers to discuss these very matters.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59What additional support to is the Secretary of State putting in place
0:28:59 > 0:29:04to reduce youth unemployment so that young people have a positive
0:29:04 > 0:29:08future in Northern Ireland? The Honourable Gentleman has a long
0:29:08 > 0:29:11track record in youth issues. We are very concerned about it. This
0:29:11 > 0:29:14was a problem for the previous government of which he was not a
0:29:14 > 0:29:17member in all fairness and continues to be a problem. The
0:29:17 > 0:29:21Executive are taking the number of issues to do with apprenticeships
0:29:21 > 0:29:27and learning issues foie de for, and we will continue to support
0:29:27 > 0:29:30them in every way. It is critical for I was said Executive ministers
0:29:30 > 0:29:34engaged on the whole passage -- package of welfare reform being
0:29:34 > 0:29:38proposed. Does my Honourable Friend agree the
0:29:38 > 0:29:41best way to increase youth employment in Northern Ireland is
0:29:41 > 0:29:48to invest in the British ships and the University technical schools
0:29:48 > 0:29:53that is happening elsewhere in the you knighted Kingdom? --
0:29:53 > 0:30:03apprenticeships in the United Kingdom. In Northern Ireland there
0:30:03 > 0:30:08
0:30:08 > 0:30:16is youth unemployment as the rest of the GP. -- GB. Order, and cannot
0:30:16 > 0:30:20hear the answer. The matters, and mostly in hands of
0:30:20 > 0:30:24ministers of the Executive at Stormont, and I do urge all of them
0:30:24 > 0:30:28to engage with Lord Freud and his ministerial colleagues in this
0:30:28 > 0:30:34whole passage of welfare reform that will be important for Northern
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Ireland's future prosperity. Will the Minister join with me in
0:30:37 > 0:30:43welcoming the decision by the Northern Ireland Executive to cap
0:30:43 > 0:30:51tuition fees at just over �3,000 and the Beast this provides two
0:30:51 > 0:30:55young people in Northern Ireland to seek to graduate from university.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59These are matters for the Executive. I would point out as he is well
0:30:59 > 0:31:07aware that that money will have to be found from the existing budget
0:31:07 > 0:31:12of the Executive. Questions to the Prime Minister. Mr Stephen Hepburn.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16We will be going live to Prime Minister's Questions in a moment.
0:31:16 > 0:31:26The speaker being quite proactive today, rattling them along.
0:31:26 > 0:31:36Anything Pat -- catch your fancy, air passenger duty, the Finucane
0:31:36 > 0:31:37
0:31:37 > 0:31:41issue. That issue came back to bite them,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44she thought she was getting the inquiry that had been promised and
0:31:44 > 0:31:48instead promised a review by a leading QC. We have heard Owen
0:31:48 > 0:31:51Paterson say he would allow this issue to underline the good
0:31:51 > 0:31:55relationship he had had with the British and Irish governments
0:31:55 > 0:31:58between the Government's, the President was in Hillsborough last
0:31:58 > 0:32:02night and although the Irish government were unhappy they were
0:32:02 > 0:32:05pursued and hope that wouldn't poisoned relationships.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09They will probably get away with it for the time being although they
0:32:09 > 0:32:13battle on. The West Lothian question also known as the West
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Belfast question. Basically because we can decide English questions
0:32:16 > 0:32:23because we are represented in London but they can't decide for us
0:32:23 > 0:32:26and they think the English people think this is unfair. The MP there
0:32:26 > 0:32:31has been a campaign on this issue and was asking about plans for a
0:32:31 > 0:32:36commission to be set up and there seems to be progress being made.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Patricia the issue is appointing case where devolution has opened up
0:32:39 > 0:32:44opportunities that it has caused resentment in England were English
0:32:44 > 0:32:49people are paying their tax money here for subsidised and their
0:32:49 > 0:32:51children coming here will pay more for university are locals so a
0:32:51 > 0:32:56long-running issue. Interesting to see what the commission comes up
0:32:56 > 0:33:01with. For we saw Mr Patterson, but what
0:33:01 > 0:33:04did you make of Vernon Coker, nervy, new to the task, the shadow
0:33:04 > 0:33:11Secretary of State. Reading quite a lot of his
0:33:11 > 0:33:15questions. Didn't have the panache of Shaun Woodward he used to jump
0:33:15 > 0:33:18up but had the inside information of having been secretary of state