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 his timescale is for making city and growth deals payments for Northern Ireland in the event of (a) restoration of devolution and (b) devolution not being restored in the next 12 months.
Answered by Julian Smith
The release of financial contributions towards City and Growth deals can only be made with the sign-off of Full Business Cases. The timescale to achieve this is primarily dependent on the pace and resourcing of the relevant Councils and Deal partners. For devolved projects, a restored Executive will have to consider the question of match-funding and agreement of individual projects.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, by what date would legislation have to be introduced to prevent Welfare Reform mitigations in Northern Ireland expiring on 31 March 2020.
Answered by Julian Smith
The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the various mitigation schemes relating to welfare reform in Northern Ireland.
A decision to extend mitigations beyond March 2020 would be a matter for an incoming Minister for Communities in a restored Northern Ireland Executive.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Northern Ireland Office will make it its policy to support Invest NI in hosting visits by Ambassadors to the UK to the Causeway Coast.
Answered by Julian Smith
Trade promotion is a devolved matter and we continue to work hard to restore a stable devolved government in Northern Ireland which can work with the UK Government to promote Northern Ireland's attractiveness for overseas investment and showcase all that Northern Ireland has to offer, including the Causeway Coast area. Arrangements for visits by Ambassadors are a matter for Invest NI and Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy, supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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 assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting the system used in England and Wales by which businesses can make claims against debtors who refuse to pay outstanding debts.
Answered by Julian Smith
This is a devolved matter and any system for businesses to make claims against debtors who have not paid their outstanding debts is one that is best considered by locally elected and accountable Ministers. It is for matters such as this that it is important that we get Stormont back up and running 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, whether his Department made a cash payment to a civil servant as a result of offence allegedly caused by a royal portrait on display in the Northern Ireland Office.
Answered by Julian Smith
It would be inappropriate to comment on any individual case. The Northern Ireland Office, takes its responsibilities under Fair Employment legislation very seriously; the requirements of which are set out in the 1989 Fair Employment Code of Practice. The NIO also operates in line with the Equality Commission of Northern Ireland’s Guide ‘Promoting a Good and Harmonious Working Environment’. A portrait of the Queen, as head of state, is on display in the public area of Stormont House alongside a balanced set of images celebrating and reflecting the work of the Northern Ireland Office.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the recent golf open at Royal Portrush, if her Department will hold discussions with Invest Northern Ireland to promote Northern Ireland as a tourist and investment destination.
Answered by John Penrose
The recent Open Championship was a huge success, showcasing the very best of Northern Ireland and demonstrating that the region is more than up to the challenge of hosting such significant global events.
While tourism and investment remain largely devolved matters under the remit of Invest NI, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, alongside other UK Government Ministers share the ambitions of Invest NI and Tourism NI in promoting Northern Ireland as a place to invest, visit and do business.
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 assessment she has made of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland's recruitment criteria as a result of the composition of new commissioners announced in June 2019.
Answered by John Penrose
Following an open competition on 17 June 2019, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced a number of new appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. This competition was regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). All stages of the process, including the recruitment criteria, were overseen by an independent panel member.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she plans to table legislative proposals to implement payments to victims of historical and institutional abuse in Northern Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made it very clear that she is determined to see redress for victims of historical institutional abuse as soon as possible. The UK Government has made clear that legislation will be introduced at Westminster by the end of the year, should a restored NI Executive not be in place.
Currently, officials in the Northern Ireland Executive Office are working with the Northern Ireland Office of the Legislative Counsel to redraft the legislation for a redress scheme in line with the NI parties’ recommendations.
When the legislation has been revised and received, the Secretary of State will consider the best way forward and the next steps as a matter of urgency.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in the absence of devolved government, if she will consult on the potential merits of introducing a children’s funeral fund in Northern Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
This is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and as such is the responsibility of the Department for Communities (DfC). Information can be requested from the Permanent Secretary at DfC.
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 occasions since February 2017 have meetings been held between officials in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic to conclude a management agreement which would clarify criminal and regulatory jurisdiction on Lough Foyle.
Answered by John Penrose
The Government recognises the need to take action to address illegal activity on Lough Foyle and our position on Lough Foyle has not changed. The regulation of activities in Lough Foyle is the responsibility of the Loughs Agency, a cross-border body established under the Belfast Agreement of 1998.
We remain fully committed to these arrangements and continue to work closely with the Irish Government over improvements to the management of the Loughs. British and Irish officials last met in October 2017 when a number of issues were discussed including the Loughs, and the management of aquaculture in them, and they have been in regular contact since.