Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to respond to Question 59717 on UK Shared Prosperity Fund tabled by the hon. Member for East Londonderry on 20 October 2021.
Answered by Conor Burns
This question was answered on 26 October 2021.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
If he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on delays in the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in concluding investigations.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is an independent and impartial organisation; It would not be appropriate for the Government to enter into discussions on the conduct of their investigations.
The Hon Gentleman is welcome to write to me directly on this topic.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to announce proposals on how the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to strengthen the Union.
Answered by Conor Burns
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to level up and create opportunity across the United Kingdom.
It will operate UK-wide, using the new financial assistance powers in the UK Internal Market Act 2020. We will ramp up funding so that total domestic UK-wide funding will at least match EU receipts, on average reaching around £1.5bn a year.
The Spending Review 2020 set out the main strategic elements of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in the Heads of Terms. The Government will publish further details later this year and confirm its funding profile at the upcoming Spending Review.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to publish the Government's proposals on tackling the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past.
Answered by Robin Walker
The current system for dealing with the legacy of the past is failing to bring satisfactory outcomes for families and placing a heavy burden on the criminal justice system. It is not working for anyone and is leaving society in Northern Ireland hamstrung by its past.
On 24 June, the UK Government - along with the Irish Government - agreed to commence a process of intensive engagement with the Northern Ireland parties and all relevant stakeholders and civil society, including victims groups, with a view to making progress on this issue as soon as possible. This engagement process has now started, and the UK Government has committed to bringing forward proposals and to introducing legislation to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) Northern Ireland businesses have been adversely impacted by and (b) complaints the Government has received on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol since 1 January 2021.
Answered by Robin Walker
I have engaged extensively in the build up to and since the Protocol was implemented at the start of this year, talking to businesses throughout Northern Ireland and across sectors. These experiences have also been set out to me in writing as correspondence and as reports for individuals businesses and business representative organisations.
I have heard first-hand about the range of experiences under the Protocol as it is currently operating for people and businesses in Northern Ireland. Where concerns have been raised - for example about reduced choice of products from Great Britain, burdensome checks and processes on products for supermarkets, cancelled deliveries, increased costs, risks to the supply of generic medicines and the impact on investment and growth - these have shaped and guided the Government’s approach to Protocol implementation.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when was he informed of the decision by the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland that she was unavailable to meet HRH The Prince of Wales on his visit to Northern Ireland which began on 18 May 2021.
Answered by Robin Walker
Private audiences with members of the Royal Family are a matter for the Royal Household.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has held with Cabinet colleagues on Northern Ireland's allocation under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in the last four weeks.
Answered by Robin Walker
The UK Government is committed to creating a UK Shared Prosperity Fund which will bind together the whole United Kingdom, tackling inequality and deprivation in each of our four nations. It will, at a minimum, match the size of the EU structural funds in each nation.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland continues to engage regularly with colleagues from across the Government and will ensure that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund works for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland, drives growth and promotes innovation. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to boost the links between our family of nations, Strengthening the Union and levelling up the entire country creating a more successful and resilient economy.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Justice Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive on the funding of a documentary called The Unquiet Graves broadcast on RTE Irish State Television which was broadcast in September 2020.
Answered by Robin Walker
Funding decisions are made at arms length from the Government and the Government does not comment on individual cases.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Victims Commissioner on the introduction of a veterans' railcard.
Answered by Robin Walker
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has had regular discussions on a wide range of issues with office holders in Northern Ireland including the Victims Commissioner and the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, who was recently appointed to act as a voice and advocate for veterans as they make the transition to civilian life.
The Department for Transport have been leading on the programme to introduce railcards for veterans and, with support from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, have been working closely with the devolved administrations to determine how this is delivered across all parts of the UK. In Northern Ireland, the decision on implementing this proposal is for the Minister for Infrastructure to take.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
If he will make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring that the extension of duty free arrangements to the EU from January 2021 includes Northern Ireland airports.
Answered by Robin Walker
I regularly speak to Treasury Ministers to discuss opportunities for the economy in Northern Ireland. The Government continues to work through the implications of the Northern Ireland Protocol and the unique situation it creates for VAT and excise. Guidance will be provided on how the Protocol will work, including for duty-free goods ahead of the transition period.