Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Penning Excerpts
Wednesday 9th May 2018

(6 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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I am afraid that the hon. Lady should deal with facts rather than what analyses say. If she took an interest in what the Belfast Telegraph has to say, she would have read on Wednesday 2 May the inside-page headline, “Top US software firm to create 50 new jobs in Belfast investment”. My hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (James Cleverly) has welcomed the new Bombardier contract, which is worth more than £500 million. I am afraid the facts are that business is continuing, and continuing to prosper.

Mike Penning Portrait Sir Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con)
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One of the reasons why there is so much inward investment in Northern Ireland is the peace created by our soldiers, policemen and special forces, with whom I had the honour of serving in the 1970s. If we are to honour the bravery of people such as Robert Nairac and my other colleagues who lost their lives in the Province, the consultation should flatly say, “We are not having a conversation. We will protect our soldiers, putting them first and the terrorists second.”

Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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My right hon. Friend makes some very good points. He will be aware of the ongoing discussion about the consultation, but he will appreciate that I will not make any further commitments at this stage.