Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make it her policy to visit (a) schools with an integrated ethos and (b) other schools in North Down; and if she will make a statement.

I would be happy to consider any formal invitations which may be forthcoming from any sectors of the community, including those which focus specifically on education.

I understand that Northern Ireland Office Ministers have had a number of valuable and enjoyable visits to the honourable Lady’s constituency in the past and I hope to be in a position to do likewise at some point in the future.

However, as I have made clear, my immediate focus will be to work with the Northern Ireland political parties, and the Irish Government, to secure the restoration of inclusive, stable, devolved government in Northern Ireland.