Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote the National Year of Reading in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recently chaired the East-West Council in Belfast where the Minister for Early Years reported on the significant collaboration between all four nations of the UK regarding the National Year of Reading.

This Government remains committed to working with partners across the United Kingdom to collaborate to share best practices.

Education is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, and decisions about the National Year of Reading in Northern Ireland are for the Northern Ireland Education Minister.