Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Randerson on 16 July (HL Deb, col 588–9), what are the specific ways in which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is "fully engaged" in speeding up the National Crime Agency's full introduction.

Ministers and officials in the Northern Ireland Office remain actively involved in seeking to ensure the full extension of the NCA’s remit in Northern Ireland. In recent weeks the Secretary of State has discussed the issue with the Home Secretary, Justice Minister Ford, Chief Constable Hamilton and the SDLP. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State has raised the issue with Justice Minister Ford and Chief Constable Hamilton. The previous Minister of State also raised the issue during recent meetings he had with the SDLP, Justice Minister Ford and Chief Constable Hamilton. Officials remain closely involved in ongoing discussions with the Department of Justice and Home Office on securing further progress.