Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for the defence industry in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
I am in regular discussion with ministerial colleagues regarding growth and investment, including the defence industry in Northern Ireland. The Government is committed to improving how Northern Ireland is integrated into the UK defence industry network as part of our plan for growing the economy, showcasing the skills, industry expertise and infrastructure that are thriving in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 45240, when he plans to publish the responses to his Department's consultation on same-sex religious marriage and entitlements in Northern Ireland, which closed on 23 February 2020.
Answered by Robin Walker
On 16 July 2020, we published the Government response to the consultation on same-sex religious marriage in Northern Ireland; the same day the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 were laid in Parliament to provide for same-sex religious marriage in Northern Ireland from 1 September 2020.
The Government response can be accessed on nio.gov.uk and outlines the background to the consultation, including the relevant legal powers of the Government to change the law, analysis undertaken for each question asked in the consultation and what the regulations provide.
The Government remains committed to delivering conversion entitlements regulations and publishing the Government response to that consultation as soon as possible before the end of 2020.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he will publish the responses to his Department's consultation on same-sex religious marriage and entitlements in Northern Ireland which closed on 23 February 2020.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Government is still carefully analysing the submissions received in response to both consultations. We appreciate the input of the individuals and organisations who took the time to respond.
The Government responses to the consultations on same-sex religious marriage and conversion entitlements will be published in due course.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 10 Feb 2020 to Question 13025 on Life Imprisonment, for what reasons the number of life prisoners licences revoked under section 9 of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 between 2001 and 2010 was not provided; and whether any licences have been revoked under Article 7 of Schedule 5 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010.
Answered by Robin Walker
We do not hold the information requested. As noted in the answer of 10 February 2020, the recall of individuals released on a life licence is primarily a matter for the Department of Justice (DoJ), who hold all the information requested, including data dated before 2010.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of the number of life prisoners licences revoked under Section 9 of the Life Sentences (NI) Order 2001 in each year since 2001.
Answered by Julian Smith
Since the devolution of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Executive in 2010, the recall of individuals released on a life licence, further to Section 9 of the Life Sentences (NI) Order 2001, has been a matter for the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland, except where this relates to national security. The Department of Justice shall be able to provide details relating to the number of licences revoked.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of the number of licences revoked under Section 8 of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 in each year since1998.
Answered by Julian Smith
Section 8 of the NI (Sentences) Act 1998 relates to the revocation of a declaration by the Sentence Review Commissioners that a prisoner is eligible for release. To date, two declarations have been revoked under this provision since 1998.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps Northern Ireland Government Departments have taken to encourage the use of Financial Transactions Capital.
Answered by Julian Smith
In 2012-13, the UK Government introduced Financial Transactions Capital (FTC). FTC is designed to stimulate private sector investment in projects that benefit the region, over and above the level of investment made by the Executive from its Departmental Expenditure Limits.
FTC funding is allocated to the Devolved Administrations, which has discretion over its allocation to projects. The Department of Finance in Northern Ireland has provided the following information which sets out the allocation decisions for this year. Further information on how the NI Civil Service encourages the use of FTC can be requested from the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland.
FTC Allocations | 2019-20 |
Invest NI - Agri-Food Loan Scheme | 1,000 |
Invest NI - Growth Loan Fund | 2,400 |
Invest NI Other Projects | 4,225 |
Northern Ireland Science Park | 3,190 |
Higher Education | 63,483 |
Co-Ownership Housing | 26,244 |
NI Investment Fund | 30,000 |
Housing for people with learning disabilities | 10,000 |
Total Projects: | 140,542 |
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many public interest immunity applications her Department has (a) received and (b) approved in the last five years.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
Records indicate that my Department has received and approved a total of 31 applications for public interest immunity in the last five years.