Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
What recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of expenditure on shared and integrated education in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
This Government is committed to supporting the expansion of Shared and Integrated Education and to that end has set aside up to £500m to develop shared and integrated education in Northern Ireland.
The Secretary of State was delighted to underline this commitment in Omagh on Monday where she announced the allocation of £140m to the Strule Shared Education Campus. This campus will bring together 4,200 children from across traditional divides in a world class education facility transforming the delivery of education in the area.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to reform the Northern Ireland Assembly's petition of concern; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chloe Smith
There are differing views among the political parties in Northern Ireland on reforming the Petition of Concern mechanism. The Government would like to see the issue resolved on the basis of consensus between the parties.
The parties agreed as part of the Stormont House Agreement that changes will be made to the operation of the Petition of Concern mechanism through a protocol agreed between the parties.
The Government remains committed to the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made on the formation of an executive in Northern Ireland since the start of the summer recess; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by James Brokenshire
The UK Government continues to engage with the parties and the Irish Government towards the priority of restoring the Executive and Assembly. All parties have emphasised their desire to find a way to resolve the issues currently preventing them from forming a government. The people of Northern Ireland need a fully functioning inclusive Executive where strategic decisions can be made by locally elected politicians in the interests of the whole community.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the (a) Police Service of Northern Ireland, (b) Department of Justice, Northern Ireland and (c) Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland on individuals charged under the Offences Against the Person Act 1981 for purchasing abortion medication for (i) their own use and (ii) use by a third party.
Answered by James Brokenshire
As abortion, and policing and justice, are devolved matters in Northern Ireland, I have not held any such discussions.