Contributions
764 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic GrowthThe hon. Gentleman makes a great case for his constituency, and I would certainly like to see terrific levels of investment into it. However, I would like us to go further: I…28 Feb 2024HANSARDEconomic GrowthI am most grateful to the hon. Member for his question, but he will know two things. First, the word “access” is somewhat contested. I would encourage him to go and look at the…28 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandOh my word: we are going to have a general debate on the Belfast/Good Friday agreement.26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI said that I was going to press on, but my colleague is the first Conservative Member to intervene on this theme, so I will give way.26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI certainly agree about the extraordinary opportunity before Northern Ireland. The Belfast/Good Friday agreement and the Northern Ireland Act 1998 are explicit that any change to…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI know we will hear from my hon. Friend many times on these issues, and he has a great deal to contribute. I will see to it, particularly with this new role I have jointly with…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI cannot wait for my closing speech so I can say to the hon. Gentleman, “Please, give us all these examples in full detail in writing.” I will be very pleased indeed to have my…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandWith the leave of the House, I rise to close the debate on this Humble Address, and I am very grateful to everyone who has participated in it. This is a Unionist Government, and…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI will give way once more, but I think I should then make a little more progress.26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandElements were relevant at the time, as the Secretary of State has just mentioned to me, but, alas, I was not the relevant Minister at the time. I did the European Union…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandThere are nods of assent. The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill established the principle that there should be a red lane, and we do need to remember that the red lane is therefore…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandThe hon. Gentleman may have missed it, but last Monday was my first day as a joint Cabinet Office and Northern Ireland Office Minister, precisely so I can assist officials with…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandStrand 1 is of course a matter for the United Kingdom, and while Northern Ireland is within the United Kingdom, everyone would expect us to make Northern Ireland work within the…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandWill the hon. Gentleman give way?26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI do not have any “breaking” news to share with the hon. Gentleman tonight—but I am most grateful to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for that joke, which people will…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandIf my right hon. Friend will agree, I would like to have a meeting with him, because I am very clear that the scope of law that can apply in Northern Ireland is that which is…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI will correct the record: all that is required is a simple majority, just as the hon. Gentleman says. I am sure that we all regret the confusion that has arisen. I will later in…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI am most grateful—although after this I will plunge further into my speech, because I want to conclude it. Our position is very clear that any change must come from the parties…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandThe Secretary of State has made that clear, but I have some nervousness when talking to my right hon. Friend because of the extent and difficulty of the walk he and I have had…26 Feb 2024HANSARD Northern IrelandI am most grateful to the right hon. Member. Of course I welcome these arrangements. I was very pleased to give instruction to my officials that the Assembly should be notified.…26 Feb 2024