Northern Ireland Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Northern Ireland

Diana Johnson Excerpts
Monday 26th June 2017

(6 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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I point out to the hon. lady that over that period—indeed, over her period in the House—unemployment has consistently fallen in her area, as in other areas, until it has now reached its lowest level since the mid-1970s. I would have thought she would welcome that; more of her constituents are in work than ever before.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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Why do this Government not do the right thing and deal with these women who have no option but to travel from Northern Ireland to seek termination services in England, Scotland and Wales? Why do the Government, of whom the First Secretary is a leading member, not do the right thing and say that those women should not be charged for accessing NHS services, which, as taxpayers, they contribute to through the tax they pay on their wages?

Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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The hon. Lady knows that the NHS is a devolved function in the devolved Administrations, so if we accept the logic of devolution, this is clearly a political issue for the people of Northern Ireland.