Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has to appoint an independent mediator to chair discussions with the main political parties in Northern Ireland to restore devolution.
Answered by Karen Bradley
I have made clear that I am ready to consider all proposals which could support the parties in finding an agreement to restore the Executive. As always, all options remain on the table.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she last chaired round table talks between the leaders of the main political parties in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Karen Bradley
I am in regular contact with the leaders of the Northern Ireland parties and I remain focused on bringing the parties together to work towards re-establishing devolved government in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she plans to further reduce the salaries of Members of the Legislative Assembly in the continued absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly.
Answered by Karen Bradley
A second reduction to MLA salaries took effect last month, bringing the total reduction to 27.5%. While the Assembly is not sitting, I recognise that MLAs continue to be active in constituency work. The reduction that has been implemented reflects the work MLAs have been doing in the current period and is in line with the recommendations of former Assembly clerk and chief executive Trevor Reaney.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2019 to Question 211684 on Chinook Helicopters: Accidents, whether the Government has preserved records relating to the crash of the RAF helicopter Chinook that were closed between the date of the accident on 2 June 1994 and 1995.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Ministry of Defence records relating to the crash of the RAF helicopter Chinook that were closed between the date of the accident on 2 June 1994 and 1995 have been preserved.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to preserve the records relating to the crash of the RAF Chinook helicopter on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994; and where those records are currently archived.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Ministry of Defence (MOD) records that were closed in 1995 and 1996 will be reviewed for release or alternative disposal this year. These reviews have not been completed, and a decision will be made in due course.
The records relating to the crash of the RAF Chinook helicopter on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994 are currently archived with the MOD's Air Historical Branch (RAF) at RAF Northolt.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what criteria she will use in deciding to call a Northern Ireland Assembly election; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by John Penrose
The basis on which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland shall set a date for the election is set out in the Northern Ireland Act 1998. As the Secretary of State has said, we do not believe that holding an election during this time of significant change and political uncertainty would be helpful or would increase the prospects of restoring the Executive.
That is why the NI (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act provides for a limited period during which there is no legal requirement to call a further election and during which an Executive may be formed at any time. This will provide the time and space needed to work with the parties towards a further phase of talks to restore the Executive.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will provide the evidential basis for her statement to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee on 21 November 2018 that between 1 January 2017 and 31 October 2018 £8,504,716 was spent on salaries for Members of the Legislative Assembly of Northern Ireland in the absence of a functioning Assembly; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by John Penrose
The budget for the payment of salaries to MLAs, along with the associated financial figures, is held by the Assembly Commission which is the corporate body of the NI Assembly. The Commission confirmed that between 1 January 2017 and 31 October 2018, £8,504,716 has been paid in salaries to Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the effect on local and regional newspapers in Northern Ireland of the pre-pack rescue of Johnston Press; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by John Penrose
My deepest sympathies go out to anyone facing uncertainty as a result of the changes at Johnston Press. The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has made an assessment of the challenges facing local and regional newspapers, both from the resale of Johnston Press and more broadly, in the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland. Details can be found at:
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will meet families of cystic fibrosis sufferers in Northern Ireland who are seeking to secure the availability of Orkambi on the NHS; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by John Penrose
Thank you for raising this important issue. I realise that the availability of Orkambi is currently the subject of negotiation involving Vertex Pharmaceuticals, NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
As these negotiations are ongoing, I will ask my officials to monitor progress on this issue and update you as soon as there is greater clarity.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if her Department will (a) respond to feedback received by the Northern Ireland Executive Office's consultation on Historical Institutional Abuse and (b) take steps to implement the recommendations of the Hart Report in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by John Penrose
Victims of historical institutional abuse have shown huge courage and dignity in their fight for truth and redress and publishing this consultation is an important step for them. I urge anyone who has been affected or has an interest to contribute to this consultation and put forward their views.
The UK Government’s priority in Northern Ireland continues to be the restoration of the NI Executive. If, despite best efforts, the NI Executive has not been restored by the time the consultation process ends we will consider what the next steps are in the absence of NI Executive Ministers.