Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Murrison Excerpts
Wednesday 31st October 2018

(6 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Karen Bradley Portrait Karen Bradley
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I know that the right hon. Gentleman, who as a constituency MP represents many people affected by this, cares deeply about this matter and wants to see action taken. I, too, want to see action taken, and I will be happy to discuss this with him separately in terms of what actually can be done under the devolution and constitutional arrangements in place.

Andrew Murrison Portrait Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con)
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If the Executive are not restored by the end of the year, will the Secretary of State use the powers she is about to get under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill to issue guidance to ensure that Northern Ireland gets a proper cancer strategy, since it is the only part of the UK that does not have one, and I am afraid that outcomes are reflecting that?

Karen Bradley Portrait Karen Bradley
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My hon. Friend, who served as a Minister in the Northern Ireland Office and is Chair of the Select Committee, understands the devolution settlement and constitutional arrangements better than many people. He will know that it will be for Ministers to make the decision on the implementation of the cancer strategy, but clearly the guidance that accompanies the Bill will be issued after Royal Assent, and I would hope that civil servants will take the decisions that they can take within that guidance.