Oral Answers to Questions

Jo Churchill Excerpts

Wednesday 13th September 2017 Commons Chamber

[James Brokenshire]

We have recognised the case for the needs of Northern Ireland, where there has been under-investment in infrastructure and mental health issues. I am sorry if the hon. Gentleman does not acknowledge and recognise that. We firmly do, and act in the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom.

[Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)]

7. What recent discussions he has had with political parties in Northern Ireland on the UK leaving the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (James Brokenshire)]

UK Government Ministers have held a number of meetings with Northern Ireland’s political parties about EU exit. However, our priority remains restoring the Northern Ireland Executive, which will enable direct ministerial engagement on matters relating to the UK’s departure from the EU.

[Jo Churchill]

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer, but people still need food and drink. Six million cases of Baileys and other cream liqueurs are made in Ireland every year. In Northern Ireland, production crosses the border several times, as is the case for most products. What is he doing to ensure frictionless borders for our farmers and for food production, and ensure that Baileys and Guinness get here?

[James Brokenshire]

I note my hon. Friend’s focus on drinks and her preferred tipple. The agri-foods sector is a key component of the Northern Irish and, indeed, Irish economy. That is why we highlighted it in our position paper on standards with regard to the need for a frictionless border. We have set out those proposals, and we want that engagement with the EU.

Oral Answers to Questions

Jo Churchill Excerpts

Wednesday 28th June 2017 Commons Chamber

[James Brokenshire]

No, I cannot.

[Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)]

14. Will the Minister join me in welcoming the Government’s commitment to use our high commissions and embassies to promote Northern Ireland as a place to do business, to ensure that Northern Ireland is fully included in any UK-wide initiative to boost exports and prosperity?

[James Brokenshire]

I strongly support the point that my hon. Friend makes. Northern Ireland is a great place to do business and as a Government we will continue to support that in all ways that we can—and in all other parts of the UK.

Stormont

Jo Churchill Excerpts

Monday 12th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Danny Kinahan]

I will get to that point towards the end of my speech, because I think it is absolutely key.

[Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)]

I entered the House with hope that the four corners of Britain could come together to form a solid table to hold the hopes and aspirations of everybody. My friends in Northern Ireland now enjoy 40,000 more people in employment than in 2010; unemployment has fallen for 27 months in succession; and employment is up to 67.8%. Surely these are things to hang on to—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. Interventions are meant to be short. We are struggling with time, and I want to get everybody in.

Oral Answers to Questions

Jo Churchill Excerpts

Wednesday 24th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

First, let me reassure the hon. Lady that the data will be published; they are being prepared for publication as we speak. I think that it is important that we publish data, and this Government have published more data about public spending than any previous Government.

[Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)]

Q12. Over the past few years we have seen some horrendous examples of children being sexually exploited. As a mother, I ask my right hon. Friend what he is going to do to tackle the exploitation of children.

[The Prime Minister]

Let me welcome my hon. Friend. She is absolutely right to raise this. What we saw happen in Rotherham, Rochdale and in my own city of Oxford was absolutely horrific. Steps are being taken by the police and social services to deal with it much better in future, and there have recently been some very important prosecutions, for instance in Oxfordshire. But I am not satisfied with the progress, so I have asked the Education Secretary to chair a new child protection taskforce to drive fundamental reforms to improve the protection of vulnerable children. I want us to bring the vigour and emphasis on quality that we have brought to education to the area of social work.