Northern Ireland Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon Excerpts
Thursday 5th September 2019

(4 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Lady Hermon: a single sentence, I think.

Lady Hermon Portrait Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind)
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Of course, Mr Speaker.

The Secretary of State—whom I warmly congratulate on his appointment, while also thanking his predecessor—will know from the very angry and concerned representations that I have already made to his office that I am extremely worried and annoyed that a statutory instrument which governs key appointments to a range of bodies in Northern Ireland—including appointments of QCs—has been put in jeopardy by Prorogation. I need a commitment, a guarantee, from the Secretary of State today that that statutory instrument will be debated in the House on Monday, or on Tuesday, but certainly before Prorogation. It affects people’s lives in Northern Ireland, and the Secretary of State has a responsibility to protect those lives.

Julian Smith Portrait Julian Smith
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I hope to table a motion for the statutory instrument early next week.