Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Lewer Excerpts
Wednesday 26th January 2022

(2 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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I encourage the hon. Gentleman to do a little more research. It is very good news that the Northern Ireland economy is moving forward, as is the whole UK economy. Of course, in Northern Ireland there are more factors, not least the scale of the public sector compared with anywhere else in the UK. However, it is also true that the UK is moving forward as one of the fastest-growing economies in the G7, if not the fastest, with employment going up from where it was even before covid. That is because the Government are focused on delivering for people across the United Kingdom. I am sure he understands why, as a Unionist, I support that. He should too.

Andrew Lewer Portrait Andrew Lewer (Northampton South) (Con)
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5. What plans his Department has to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

Antony Higginbotham Portrait Antony Higginbotham (Burnley) (Con)
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8. What plans his Department has to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

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Conor Burns Portrait The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Conor Burns)
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May I briefly associate myself with the comments of the Secretary of State on the dreadful events in the city of the hon. Member for Foyle (Colum Eastwood) in 1972, the year of my birth in Belfast?

Officials in the Northern Ireland Office are working closely with officials in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the lead Government Department on the jubilee. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend Lord Caine are working on a series of events in Northern Ireland to mark Her Majesty’s jubilee, her immense contribution to life in Northern Ireland and to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

Andrew Lewer Portrait Andrew Lewer
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Will the Minister describe how he will encourage all parts of the NHS across Northern Ireland to celebrate the platinum jubilee as one great, unifying feature of the Union towards another?