Wednesday Volume 589 10 December 2014 No. 78 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 10 December 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/. 855 10 DECEMBER 2014 856 gets the UK’s second most FDI per head, with a 32% House of Commons increase last year. Foreign investors are recognising that Northern Ireland is a great place in which to invest. The Wednesday 10 December 2014 latest figures are extremely encouraging. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Robert Jenrick: I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement that corporation tax setting powers PRAYERS will be on their way to Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland economy is of course very heavily dependent on public sector jobs. What more can the Government do, [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] using the corporation tax powers when they come, to encourage inward investment and innovation in Northern Oral Answers to Questions Ireland? Dr Murrison: The Chancellor has expressed our desire to devolve that power to the Executive, and the Executive NORTHERN IRELAND is keen to take it on. The extent to which it will impact on the Northern Ireland economy is of course a matter The Secretary of State was asked— for the Executive—as is the level at which they wish to pitch corporation tax, once devolved—but they have Economy/Inward Investment suggested that up to 40,000 jobs might be created in Northern Ireland by having the power. It is particularly 1. Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): What steps important for encouraging the private sector. As my her Department is taking to strengthen the economy hon. Friend will know, we are trying with the Executive of, and increase inward investment to, Northern Ireland. to rebalance the economy so that the private sector is [906458] encouraged, and the devolution of corporation tax is an important part of that. 2. Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con): What steps her Department is taking to strengthen the economy of, Neil Carmichael: Does the Minister agree that the and increase inward investment to, Northern Ireland. Government’s key extra measure of focusing on skills [906459] and making sure that people are properly trained, coupled 3. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): What steps she is with business investment, is precisely the way to improve taking to promote business investment in Northern productivity and therefore living standards? Ireland. [906460] Dr Murrison: I absolutely agree. My hon. Friend will The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern have noted that the changes to national insurance in Ireland (Dr Andrew Murrison): May I first thank you, particular in the autumn statement are very much focused Mr Speaker, Opposition Front Benchers and the House on getting young people into employment. The national for your indulgence in allowing the Secretary of State to insurance rebate is extremely helpful for small business be absent, exceptionally, today? As you know, she is in particular. He will have read with pleasure, as I have, chairing the extremely important talks at Stormont, the list of firms that are increasing their presence or and we hope that they will come to a satisfactory investing for the first time in Northern Ireland. It is conclusion very soon. She takes her duties in this House truly impressive, and it just shows what a great place very seriously, as you know, and she is grateful to you Northern Ireland now is in which to invest. for your indulgence today. The Government’s long-term economic plan is working Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): The Minister for Northern Ireland, and the UK Government continue rightly referred to the big increase in foreign direct to work with the Executive to promote Northern Ireland investment under the Northern Ireland Executive in as a great place to invest. Political stability is paramount recent years, but does he agree that the Executive has to in attracting further investment, and I encourage the deal with many issues and problems that are unique parties to make significant progress in the current cross-party to Northern Ireland? The legacy of the past causes a talks. financial drag on the Executive—increased expenditure— Glyn Davies: As a result of the autumn statement, and that has to be addressed by the parties and the 12,000 people in Northern Ireland will be lifted out of Government in the talks this week. income tax altogether following the increase in personal allowances, and almost every home buyer will pay less Dr Murrison: The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely stamp duty. Does my hon. Friend agree that the autumn correct. The past still hangs heavy over Northern Ireland. statement will bring great benefit to the whole of Northern For people of my generation, our image of Belfast in Ireland and its people? particular is of course shadowed by what we saw on the television screen all those years ago. Investors who are Dr Murrison: Yes, I very much do. It is quite clear now looking to Northern Ireland still have those images that we need to increase prosperity in Northern Ireland. in their minds, and we need to overcome that. The Prosperity is the key to improving security, as indeed is security situation is key to this, and the improvement in security to the prosperity of Northern Ireland. It is the security situation has been instrumental in making worth noting the substantial amount of foreign direct Northern Ireland look and feel a far better place in investment that Northern Ireland is now attracting. It which to invest. 857 Oral Answers10 DECEMBER 2014 Oral Answers 858 Mr Dodds: Does the Minister agree that, as we all very positive in suggesting that it may well be possible accept, political stability is absolutely key in growing to arrange a trade mission to come from America to the economy in Northern Ireland and creating the Northern Ireland to see what the possibilities are. Will conditions for economic prosperity? In his recent remarks the Minister follow up such a suggestion? in Enniskillen on 24 November, Gerry Adams said that his party was using equality to “break” Unionists—he Dr Murrison: I am very pleased that my hon. Friend actually used a foul-mouthed expletive at that point. He has met Senator Gary Hart, who is very much part of said that that was the republican strategy. Does the the current talks process. Apropos my remarks earlier Minister agree that such language on the use of a policy about foreign direct investment, I am pleased to say that such as equality is deeply offensive to everybody in it is going up dramatically, although clearly it is not Northern Ireland, undermines political stability and enough, and we would like to see far more in Northern confidence and shows that Sinn Fein’s honeyed words Ireland from America and elsewhere. I would certainly and positive language sometimes mask a deeply disturbing welcome such a proposition. policy? Security Situation Dr Murrison: I think Sinn Fein needs to be very careful about the language it uses, as indeed do all 4. Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): What politicians. People are looking at Northern Ireland as a recent assessment she has made of the security potential place to invest and are put off by that kind of situation in Northern Ireland. [906461] posturing. It is very important that all parties work together to continue making Northern Ireland a great The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern place to invest. Ireland (Dr Andrew Murrison): The safety of people and communities remains the Government’s top priority in Northern Ireland. Although the threat level in Northern Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South) (Lab): As the Minister Ireland remains at severe, excellent co-operation between said, central to attracting business investment into Northern the Police Service of Northern Ireland and its partners Ireland is political stability and leadership. In that context, has put violent dissident republicans under strain in the Opposition welcome the Prime Minister’s planned recent months. There have been a number of significant visit to Northern Ireland later this week and his intention arrests, charges and convictions, which are helping to to participate, alongside the Taoiseach, in the current suppress the threat. all-party talks. Will the Minister assure the House that, alongside an agreement on the budget, including welfare Dr McCrea: I thank the Minister for his update on reform, the Government are at the very least seeking to the serious nature of the security threat from republican secure agreements on the past and on parades? terrorists and the absolute necessity of defeating them. Does the Minister also accept that there are those Dr Murrison: The talks are comprehensive, and it is who violate the sanctity of the homes of elderly people hoped that their outcome will be ambitious. The hon. living in our community, threatening and terrorising Gentleman is right that issues around the legacy of the them? Should not those criminals get custodial sentences past are central to what is being discussed in Stormont of at least seven years, irrespective of how little or how at the moment. I am hopeful that by the end of the week much they actually steal through their criminal activity? we will have a positive outcome, but all parties need to understand that this is part of a process and that they Dr Murrison: I will not be drawn on matters that are must remain engaged. Let us hope for some good news outside my sphere of competence, and I would certainly in a few days’ time.