Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Robinson Excerpts

Wednesday 28th March 2018 Commons Chamber

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office was asked—

[Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) (DUP)]

1. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on strengthening the Union during the process by which the UK leaves the EU.

[Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con)]

10. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on strengthening the Union during the process by which the UK leaves the EU.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr David Lidington)]

The Government are unapologetically committed to the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom. As the Minister responsible for constitutional issues across the Government and as chair of a number of Cabinet Committees, I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues about such issues.

[Gavin Robinson]

I am grateful to the Minister for that reply and for his commitment to our precious Union. He knows that Northern Ireland will achieve a significant milestone on the day after the transition period: its centenary as part of this Union. Will he agree to meet me and some of my colleagues to discuss how best to advance the celebration and recognition of that achievement?

[Mr Lidington]

I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues, as I am always happy to talk to the elected representatives of Northern Ireland constituencies here. It is important that we find a way to mark that centenary appropriately and do so in a way that is genuinely inclusive and recognises the sensitivities associated with many centenary anniversaries affecting the island of Ireland that have fallen in recent years.