Debates between Hilary Benn and Simon Hoare during the 2024 Parliament

Northern Ireland City Deals

Debate between Hilary Benn and Simon Hoare
Wednesday 9th October 2024

(2 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

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Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn
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The hon. Gentleman is right: a number of things have been paused. I can think of a levelling-up project in my constituency that has been paused as a result of our fiscal inheritance. That is what the Treasury is having to deal with.

Simon Hoare Portrait Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con)
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As the Secretary of State knows, one of the unsung and often undervalued benefits of city deals is that they underpin the argument for the rebuilding of a new, post-conflict Northern Ireland, delivering normalcy and forging partnerships between sectors. That is an argument that is often lost on the bean counters in the Treasury. Can he assure the House that he will be making that key point as we all seek to rebuild Northern Ireland in the image of what we would all like it to become?

Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn
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The hon. Gentleman makes a powerful and important point. The progress that Northern Ireland has made over the past 26 years since the signing of the Good Friday agreement is what everybody is striving to continue. I am confident that the Treasury will pay close attention to the exchanges on this urgent question, and the hon. Gentleman’s eloquence speaks for itself.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Hilary Benn and Simon Hoare
Wednesday 24th July 2024

(5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. We still have other questions.

Simon Hoare Portrait Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con)
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The Anglo-Irish agreement is absolutely vital, and the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach is to be welcomed. Prime Ministers’ diaries become very full; will the Secretary of State use his good offices to ensure that that dialogue between Taoiseach and Prime Minister continues to build on that relationship to see it flourish still further?

Hilary Benn Portrait Hilary Benn
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I can indeed give that assurance. My right hon. and learned Friend the Prime Minister has agreed there will be an annual summit.