Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Bradley and Jeremy Lefroy

Wednesday 3rd July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)]

14. What assessment she has made of the benefits to Northern Ireland of being part of the UK.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Karen Bradley)]

May I address the invitation I have just received, Mr Speaker? Of course I enjoy a sweet sherry, but I am afraid I will be on my way to Belfast by that point.

--- Later in debate ---

[Karen Bradley]

Absolutely!

[Jeremy Lefroy]

One of the successes of the United Kingdom is in attracting foreign direct investment. Could the Secretary of State update the House on recent FDI to Northern Ireland, and the jobs that it has created?

[Karen Bradley]

My Staffordshire neighbour has announced that he will not be standing at the next election; I pay tribute to him for the work that he has done for the people of Stafford, and will, I know, continue to do until the next election. He is quite right to refer to foreign direct investment in Northern Ireland; it increases year on year. It increased by 25% last year, creating nearly 1,500 new jobs.