Oral Answers to Questions

Iain McKenzie Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd April 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robathan]

I do not think that I blamed the last Government for the international banking crisis; I blamed them for the dire state of the UK economy that we inherited in 2010—quite reasonably, if I might say so.

We are working very hard with the Executive to bring about a better economic situation in Northern Ireland. We want to see the Welfare Reform Bill passed in the Assembly, as indeed do many parties in the Executive. Unfortunately, it is currently bogged down in the Assembly because two parties are unwilling to support it.

[Mr Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde) (Lab)]

3. What steps she is taking to promote a positive outcome for the Haass talks.

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP)]

8. What recent assessment she has made of the Haass process.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa Villiers)]

I have been working with Northern Ireland’s political leadership to support and encourage progress on flags, parades and the past. It is important to find an agreed way forward on these issues in order to underpin political stability, support economic renewal and overcome community division.

[Mr McKenzie]

Can the Secretary of State reassure the House that she still believes a positive outcome from the ongoing all-party talks will be reached, and is she fully engaged in trying to make that happen?

[Mrs Villiers]

I am fully engaged in trying to make that happen, and I remain optimistic that an agreed way forward can be found. The party leaders continue to meet. The speeches made by the Deputy First Minister and First Minister in Washington on these matters were very clear that both Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist party were determined to find a way forward. The on-the-runs crisis has set things back, but I know that the party leaders continue to work. It is a pity that the Ulster Unionist party has pulled out, and I urge it to come back to the table.