Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Karen Bradley Excerpts
Wednesday 5th February 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on his re-election as Chair of the Select Committee. He makes a very important point, which I have also heard loud and clear from Northern Ireland businesses. I think they welcome some of the indications from the Migration Advisory Committee report. Of course, the Northern Ireland Office will ensure that the concerns and interests of Northern Ireland businesses are communicated across Government, including to the Home Office.

Karen Bradley Portrait Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Con)
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The Minister is right to say that the Northern Ireland economy has enormous potential, and there is no doubt that restoration of the Executive will unlock a great amount of that potential. Will he also explain the benefits that the Northern Ireland economy will receive from being part of the fifth largest economy in the world—that of the United Kingdom?

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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My right hon. Friend speaks with enormous knowledge of this area. She is absolutely right: Northern Ireland’s economy benefits enormously from its membership of the United Kingdom, and there will be new opportunities for Northern Ireland as we trade more globally and strike new free trade deals around the world.