Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Wednesday Volume 584 16 July 2014 No. 25 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 16 July 2014 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 843 16 JULY 2014 844 many years after this began, the costs are still coming House of Commons in. Nevertheless, the value of the Saville inquiry is clear, and we need to understand that. Wednesday 16 July 2014 Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): May I welcome the Minister to his new role? In order to deal with the The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock issues of the past in a more comprehensive way, we obviously require some momentum to take the discussions between the parties in Northern Ireland forward. What PRAYERS role will the Northern Ireland Office play in trying to bring parties back together, when some have walked [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] away from the challenge of dealing with the past in a comprehensive manner? Dr Murrison: The hon. Lady is absolutely right that a Oral Answers to Questions long-term peaceful settlement relies entirely on co-operation between the parties. The Northern Ireland Office has done, and will continue to do, everything in its power to bring the parties together so that we can ensure a NORTHERN IRELAND peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State was asked— Economy Saville Inquiry 2. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): 1. David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): What What recent assessment she has made of the outlook assessment she has made of the value for money of the for the Northern Ireland economy. [904825] Saville inquiry. [904823] The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Villiers): Figures released this morning show that the Ireland (Dr Andrew Murrison): When the previous claimant count fell by 900 in June, the 18th consecutive Government set up the tribunal in 1998 to investigate month it has fallen in Northern Ireland. Economic the tragic events of 30 January 1972, no one could have commentators have forecast growth of 2.8% this year— anticipated that it would take 12 years to complete and more than many major economies around the world. cost more than £191 million. The inquiry produced the The Government’s long-term economic plan is working definitive account of the tragic events of that day, the in Northern Ireland. value of which is very clear. David Mowat: I thank the Minister for that answer. Andrew Selous: Does the Secretary of State agree that One hundred and ninety-one million pounds would in order to attract further inward investment to Northern have paid for 10,000 nurses for a year or, indeed, Ireland, we need to project an image to the world of transformed a large part of the economy of Northern peace and stability? In that vein, does she further agree Ireland. It is clear that the Government completely that the recent peaceful passing of the twelfth of July failed to control the costs. Can the Minister confirm celebrations gives us hope for the future and is something that never again will an inquiry be set up with no we can build on? attempt whatever to control costs and that the relevant civil servants understand that as well? Mrs Villiers: I agree with my hon. Friend. The fact that there was a peaceful twelfth of July is an important Dr Murrison: Notwithstanding my remarks about the step forward for Northern Ireland. It has been rare over value of the inquiry, the Government have been clear recent decades that one can say that the twelfth of July that although each case will be considered on its merits, weekend has been entirely peaceful. I commend the we should indeed resist further costly, open-ended inquiries. efforts made by Unionist leaders from a range of parties I note that the Inquiries Act 2005 will help in that and the Orange Order—and, indeed, by nationalists regard. as well—to keep the situation calm, despite the distress and upset caused by the Parades Commission Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): determination. May I welcome the Minister to his new position? Does he agree that the taxpayer is still paying for the ongoing David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): Will the Secretary costs of the Saville inquiry—as a reply I received from of State join me in congratulating companies in Northern the Secretary of State in the past few weeks made Ireland that have recently announced major investment? clear—10 years after the last witness left the stand and The Moy Park organisation, the Almac corporation after the £191 million was expended? and Thompson Aero Seating have invested tens of millions of pounds in the economy, creating hundreds Dr Murrison: Yes, I can only say that the Saville of new jobs? inquiry was set up under the previous Administration, under rules that existed at that time, and that Lord Mrs Villiers: I will join the hon. Gentleman in that. Saville was given free rein—rightly—in his independent We have had a hugely successful month for inward inquiry. The hon. Gentleman is right to say that, so investment over June and July. I am sure that everyone 845 Oral Answers16 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 846 who watched the World cup saw the Moy Park adverts, because those kinds of incidents cause great damage to demonstrating that Moy Park is a world beater. That Northern Ireland’s reputation abroad and make it harder company alone announced 628 jobs in Dungannon, to attract the inward investment we are discussing. Craigavon and Ballymena. We have had further good news, with jobs announcements from Alexander Mann Mr Lewis: The Secretary of State is also aware that Solutions, HeartSine Technologies, Wrightbus, Thales, unresolved issues around parades will continue to have First Derivatives and, of course, Thompson Aero Seating. an economic as well as social cost. Will she therefore indicate how she intends to respond to the First Minister’s Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): In balancing request for a commission on Ardoyne and wider associated the Northern Ireland economy away from its over-reliance issues, and what she is going to do to strengthen confidence on the public sector, what are the prospects for rapid in the downgraded Parades Commission, which she growth in the digital information services sector in the established with undue haste and with fewer resources Province? than its predecessor? Mrs Villiers: I think there is great scope for growth in Mrs Villiers: I can assure the shadow Secretary of this area. The Digital Derry initiative is one that immediately State that the Parades Commission has not been springs to mind, but I believe that the strength of downgraded. In response to his question about Unionist Northern Ireland’s creative industries also opens up leaders’ proposal for a commission on the situation great opportunities for success in the digital media relating to the Crumlin road in north Belfast, I will meet world. A number of software companies have had great those leaders in a few days’ time to discuss those proposals. success in Northern Ireland, which is now ranked by the I will listen carefully to what they have in mind. It is, of Financial Times as one of the best places in the world course, important for any way forward to take account for financial services technology investment. of the position of the Parades Commission and to do nothing to undermine its responsibilities. 11. [904835] Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Some four years into this Government, we had the announcement Security Situation this year of the first pilot enterprise zone in Northern Ireland. When does the Secretary of State believe that 3. Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): What recent we might be able to have further enterprise zones, and discussions she has had about the security situation in is she open to the idea of working with the Irish Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. Government and the Executive to have a cross-border [904826] enterprise zone in the north-west? 4. Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): What Mrs Villiers: We are certainly open to discussions recent discussions she has had about the security with the Irish Government about cross-border initiatives situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a to boost the economy, which could well include enterprise statement. [904827] zones. Our report back on the Government’s economic pact with the Northern Ireland Executive made it clear The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa that the Treasury is prepared to discuss the possibility, Villiers): The threat level in Northern Ireland remains subject to affordability, of additional enterprise zones severe, with persistent planning and targeting by terrorist in Northern Ireland, and I think it would be great if groupings. However, action by the Police Service of those discussions went forward. Northern Ireland and its partners continues to keep the pressure on these terrorist groups, with significant arrests Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South) (Lab): I welcome the and charges over recent months. Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the hon. Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) Mr Hanson: Instability in the Northern Ireland security to his new role and thank the right hon. Member for system continues to be fuelled by organised crime and South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan) for his contribution criminal activity. I therefore ask the Secretary of State during his period as a Northern Ireland Minister.