Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in Education Settings

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Monday 4th September 2023 Commons Chamber

[Hon. Members]

Hear, hear.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I was waiting for other hon. Members to hop in ahead of me, but there we are.

I thank the Secretary of State for the answers she has given. In her introduction, she referred to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, because there are issues in Northern Ireland as well. I understand that education is a devolved matter, but according to media reports at the weekend, Saintfield High School in my constituency is having some of the repair work done. What discussions have taken place in Cabinet to ensure that schools in Northern Ireland have the help and assistance they need to make safe their buildings? The restricted budget must take in the increased cost of these works in Northern Ireland due to the logistics of this very specialised work?

[Gillian Keegan]

As I have mentioned, we have written to officials in Northern Ireland and offered to have meetings to pass on information and best practice and to work with them closely.