Oral Answers to Questions

Jeffrey M Donaldson Excerpts

Wednesday 19th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Swire]

At the risk of repeating myself, the levers are mostly in the hands of Stormont Executive Ministers, and I urge them to engage with Lord Freud and his ministerial colleagues in respect of the package of welfare reform, which will be important for Northern Ireland’s future prosperity.

[Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP)]

Will the Minister join me in welcoming the Northern Ireland Executive’s decision to cap tuition fees at just over £3,000 and the boost that that provides to young people in Northern Ireland who seek to graduate from university?

[Mr Swire]

Those are quite properly matters for the Executive. I would point out, as the right hon. Gentleman is well aware, that that money must be found from within the Executive’s existing budget.