Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the failure to pass the Welfare Reform Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
I remain focused on the need for the Northern Ireland parties to implement welfare reform in Northern Ireland. I have facilitated a number of talks between all the parties in a bid to reach agreement. As I have highlighted during these discussions, there are very serious implications for Northern Ireland and its budget if the parties fail to reach agreement.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent steps she has taken to encourage inward investment in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
I am due to meet with a number of business organisations in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks to discuss a range of issues including investment. Additionally, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State recently met with the Chief Executive of Invest NI and we will continue to work with the Executive to promote Northern Ireland as a great place to invest and do business.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with parties represented in the Northern Ireland Executive on the consequences of failure to pass the Welfare Reform Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
I have facilitated a number of cross-party meetings in an effort to make progress on welfare reform in Northern Ireland. I also held a series of bilateral discussions with each of the main Northern Ireland parties on this issue last week. Implementing welfare reform is a key component of the Stormont House Agreement.
Given the very serious situation we are now facing, the quarterly review meeting of the Stormont House Agreement has been brought forward to today (2 June). I urge the Northern Ireland parties to work through the issues and make sure that the progress offered by the Agreement is urgently realised.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with retired or retiring members of the Police Federation on the new public service pension regulations for police officers.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
As the hon Member is aware, the issue of police pensions in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter, and therefore the responsibility of the Minister for Justice David Ford MLA and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she last met representatives of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
I met with the Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Sue McAllister, on 21 January 2015, when she updated me on the recent tensions on the republican separated wing at HMP Maghaberry. The Director General also advised me of the threats being made to prison staff by prisoners on the wing, which I unreservedly condemn. Such threats are utterly unacceptable and I stand with the Northern Ireland Prison Service in calling for those responsible to stop.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the Minister for Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive on changes to police pensions.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
As the hon Member is aware, the issue of police pensions in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter, and therefore the responsibility of the Minister for Justice David Ford MLA and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she last met representatives of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
I am in regular contact with representatives of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland on a wide range of issues.