Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2017 to Question 2967, which devolved authority has responsibility for salaries and allowances in the absence of a Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement.

Salaries and allowances for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly are the responsibility of the Assembly and, under the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, are determined by the Independent Financial Review Panel. Any change to this arrangement at Westminster would require primary legislation. The Government’s overriding priority remains supporting the restoration of devolved government, as Northern Ireland’s future is best served by local decision-making based on partnership and agreement.