Oral Answers to Questions

Robin Millar Excerpts

Wednesday 8th December 2021 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Robin Millar (Aberconwy) (Con)]

1. What steps the Government is taking to strengthen Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

[Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con)]

3. What steps the Government is taking to strengthen Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Brandon Lewis)]

In the year of Northern Ireland’s centenary, the Government have delivered the largest funding settlement to Northern Ireland since devolution, record investment in public services and vaccines at a rate possible only because of our great NHS. We are boosting local economies through city and growth deals and providing, along with the Northern Ireland Executive, a UK contribution of more than £730 million to the Peace Plus programme to contribute to a more prosperous and stable Northern Ireland. This is a Government working for Northern Ireland, and Northern Ireland is stronger for being part of the UK, just as much as our United Kingdom is stronger for having Northern Ireland as an integral part of it.

[Robin Millar]

Internal trade is one of the key strengths and benefits of being part of our United Kingdom. Irish Government statistics, however, suggest a 60% increase in north-south trade with the United Kingdom. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the diversion of trade is clear evidence of the need to invoke article 16?