Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Guto Bebb and Owen Paterson

Wednesday 25th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Paterson]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question and he touches on the problem of arriving at uniform consensus. We were elected on a platform of no more costly and open-ended inquiries, because we do not like the asymmetry of applying an extraordinary intensity of effort and expense to a very small number of cases. That is why I am trying to find a broader approach, working with all local parties.

[Guto Bebb (Aberconwy) (Con)]

7. What assessment he has made of the work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains; and if he will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Guto Bebb and Owen Paterson

Wednesday 23rd March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Guto Bebb (Aberconwy) (Con)]

1. What recent progress has been made in discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on changes to corporation tax in Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen Paterson)]

I have had discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor on this issue yesterday and today. A Government consultation paper on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy will be published tomorrow. The paper will include a discussion on the potential for transferring the power to reduce corporation tax to the Northern Ireland Executive.

[Guto Bebb]

To what extent has the Azores judgment had a bearing on the Government’s ability to vary the rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland and other regional authorities?

[Mr Paterson]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question—given that I converted him to the Conservative party in my kitchen. The Azores judgment will conform to our plans, which will be laid out in the consultation tomorrow. We agree that the powers should be devolved to an Assembly that has entire control over its own area and that there should be no countervailing intervention from central Government.