Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of growth deals on the economy of Northern Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
Devolved Territory City Deals are locally developed proposals to address specific regional economic challenges that result in long term funding commitments jointly from UK Government, Devolved Government and local partners such as the Councils and Universities. The intention is that the initiatives taken forward will lever in significant private sector investment and deliver step changes in local economic productivity and growth.
This Government has committed to a comprehensive and ambitious set of city deals across Northern Ireland and at Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced a £350 million for a Belfast City Region Deal to boost investment and productivity, generating jobs, growth and prosperity, alongside the opening formal negotiations for a Derry/Londonderry and Strabane City Region Deal.
The Belfast Region have estimated that their growth proposals could deliver almost 20,000 jobs, with an annual GVA impact of £470million and create a Belfast Region that is not just self-sufficient but a driver for a rejuvenated NI economy. Proposals for the Derry/ Londonderry and Strabane City region deal are currently under development by local partners and will also include an assessment on their potential effect on the economy of Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the proposed EU withdrawal agreement on the economy of Northern Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
Details of this analysis was published by the Cabinet Office on 28 November 2018.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the fishing industry in Northern Ireland on access to UK fishing waters after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by John Penrose
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regularly meets representatives from across a wide range of industries in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she has had discussions with the Minister for Food Supplies.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
Details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published quarterly and are available on GOV.UK
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has for the form of further talks aimed at restoring devolution.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s statement to the House of 6 September set out our clear plan for restoring the Northern Ireland Executive as soon as possible. We intend to introduce primary legislation after the conference recess to provide for a limited and prescribed period in which there will be no legal requirement to set a date for a further election. Importantly, during this period, an Executive may be formed at any point without the requirement for further legislation. The Secretary of State will shortly be engaging in further discussions with the parties and the Irish Government, in accordance with the three stranded approach, with the intention of establishing a basis for moving into more formal political dialogue aimed at the restoration of the institutions. These discussions will also seek the views from the parties on when and how external facilitation could play a constructive role in the next round of talks.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to help deliver city deals for Northern Ireland.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
This Government has committed to a comprehensive and ambitious set of city deals across Northern Ireland to boost investment and help unlock Northern Ireland’s full potential.
We have opened negotiations with local partners in the Belfast City Regions on a possible Deal and the Chancellor has invited Derry & Strabane District Council to also submit their proposals for a City Deal.
Both regions are working intensively alongside the NICS and UK Government to develop bids that will seek to deliver step changes in economic productivity and growth and I look forward to reviewing their proposals in the near future.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department is taking to establish the legacy bodies agreed under the Stormont House Agreement.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
On 11 May 2018, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland launched the public consultation, ‘Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s Past’. The consultation sets out how the proposed institutions will work in practice and provides everyone who has an interest with the opportunity to see the proposed way forward and contribute to the discussion on the issues.
The consultation was due to close on 10 September, however following calls from stakeholders for additional time to complete responses, the Secretary of State has extended the closing date to 5 October.
Asked by: Hugh Gaffney (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions the Government has had with politicians in Northern Ireland on access to abortion in that country.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been taking forward regular discussions with the main political parties in Northern Ireland about restoring devolved government and the pressing devolved issues which need to be addressed by a restored Assembly and Executive, including abortion.