Wednesday Volume 667 30 October 2019 No. 12 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 30 October 2019 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2019 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 345 30 OCTOBER 2019 346 constituents with good grace for over 20 years and House of Commons clearly cares deeply about Northern Ireland and its people; and secondly, my ministerial colleague my right Wednesday 30 October 2019 hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), who has been in indispensable to me since I took over this role. He has been critical in driving The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock forward preparations for Northern Ireland’s exit from the EU, and also in his tireless work for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. I would also like to wish all PRAYERS colleagues who are leaving Parliament my best wishes; as Chief Whip, I saw at first hand how tough this period [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] of political history has been for all colleagues. TheUKGovernmentarefullycommittedtothecovenant. Speaker’s Statement Aveteransstrategywaspublishedlastyearandaconsultation event held in Belfast in conjunction with the veterans Mr Speaker: Order. It will be for the convenience of support office. I am now working closely with colleagues Members to be aware that, unusually, our House to develop a comprehensive response to that consultation photographer will take several photos from the Bar of so that we can ensure that every veteran receives the the House and from behind the Chair today, tomorrow support they need and the recognition they deserve. and, as appropriate, on Monday. Sir Henry Bellingham: I thank the Secretary of State for that reply, but when is the pursuit of brave Northern BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS Ireland veterans and former members of the security services going to come to an end? Is the Secretary of SESSIONAL RETURNS State aware that the Ministry of Defence supports a Ordered, presumption against prosecution when a case has already been fully investigated, unless there is new evidence? That there be laid before the House Returns for Session 2017-19 of information and statistics relating to: May I urge him to support that proposal and make it an election pledge? (1) Business of the House (2) Closure of Debate, Proposal of Question and Allocation of Julian Smith: My hon. Friend will be aware that there Time (including Programme Motions) is a consultation going on, as he has referred to. The (3) Sittings of the House Northern Ireland Office is looking at the Northern Ireland (4) Private Bills and Private Business challenges on legacy. These are very sensitive issues—the (5) Public Bills system is not working, and we will be reporting back to (6) Delegated Legislation and Legislative Reform Orders this House over the coming weeks. (7) European Legislation, etc Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) (DUP): May I, on behalf (8) Grand Committees of my party, extend our best wishes to the hon. Member (9) Panel of Chairs for Ealing North (Stephen Pound) and the Minister of (10) Select Committees.—(The Chairman of Ways and Means). State, to the right hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), who has been incredibly helpful to me on a particular issue and, indeed, to the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey), who has been a recurring Oral Answers to Questions strong voice for Northern Ireland? The Secretary of State said three weeks ago that no party in Northern Ireland would have a veto, yet Sinn NORTHERN IRELAND Féin used its veto on the extension of the armed forces covenant in Northern Ireland; it does not apply in whole or in part, because of Sinn Féin’s sectarian intransigence. The Secretary of State was asked— Will the Secretary of State keenly pursue the full Armed Forces Veterans implementation of the covenant in Northern Ireland? Julian Smith: The Government are committed to the 1. Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con): armed forces covenant. As I said, we are engaging with What steps his Department is taking to support armed the consultation that has occurred. We are clear on our forces veterans in Northern Ireland. [900143] responsibilities; the covenant is working across Northern Ireland, but we obviously need to ensure that it is The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Julian Smith): working as efficiently and productively as possible for Before I begin, may I pay tribute to you, Mr Speaker, on members of the armed forces. what I believe is—I am not sure—your penultimate day in the Chair? As I have said before, despite the odd Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): In the disagreement in my past life as Government Chief Whip, 30 years since I attended the Remembrance service at your energy, drive and commitment to this role has been Enniskillen after the tragedy and atrocity there, there has without parallel. I hope you will indulge me if I also pay been recognition of the service by nationalists, Catholics tribute to two other departing Members with a strong and Irish people in the great war and in the second interest in Northern Ireland: first, the hon. Member for world war. Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to Ealing North (Stephen Pound), who has served his encourage the joint remembrance of a joint sacrifice? 347 Oral Answers 30 OCTOBER 2019 Oral Answers 348 Julian Smith: I will be joining Remembrance Day in Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind): I should like the Enniskillen in a week or so, and I will be thinking of all Secretary of State to explain to the people of Northern the people who have contributed in the way that my Ireland why he is still dithering about cutting the salaries hon. Friend refers to. of MLAs. He cannot possibly justify continuing to pay MLAs almost £36,000 a year each during the next five Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (IGC): Further to the question years, and the general election campaign will bring no from the hon. Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson), expectation of the Assembly being restored. For goodness’ may I gently say to the Secretary of State—and I sake, give the people of Northern Ireland some good apologise for all the grief I have given him over the past news. Cut their salaries and do not dither. few years—that, on this very important matter, when I was the Veterans Minister I had the great honour of Julian Smith: The hon. Lady is being tough on me. At visiting Northern Ireland, and I have to say to him that the Select Committee the other day I committed to the covenant, which the coalition Government did so doing a review as a result of her question, and I am doing much to advance in that time, has just not happened in that review. Northern Ireland, and it is because of sectarian differences? That is not fair, and those in Northern Ireland must Leaving the EU: Peace in Northern Ireland have exactly the same rights under the covenant as those in the rest of the United Kingdom. 3. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): What Julian Smith: I thank the right hon. Lady for her recent assessment he has made of the effect on peace in question and pay tribute to her for the work she did in Northern Ireland of the UK leaving the EU. [900145] that role. I am aware that there is more to do, which is why we have been consulting on how the covenant is The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Julian being implemented. There are things to improve, and Smith): Northern Ireland’s security situation has been we will make sure that we improve them. transformed as a result of the peace process. Although the threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism continues MLAs’ Salaries to be assessed as severe, hard work by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and others means that most people 2. Maria Caulfield (Lewes) (Con): What plans the are not affected. Challenges remain and will continue Government have to make a further decision on the after EU exit, but Northern Ireland is a place where salaries paid to Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. people want to work, study and live free from the threat [900144] or use of violence. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Julian Smith): Alex Cunningham: The Prime Minister will spend the It is deeply frustrating that there has been no functioning next several weeks trying to sell his damaging Brexit Assembly for so long. MLAs’ pay is deeply controversial, deal in Northern Ireland, among other places. The but they are doing important constituency work. I have Chief Constable of the PSNI believes that that deal said that I will review MLA pay, and I am currently could lead to an increase in violence and civil unrest. doing that. What additional funding will the Secretary of State Maria Caulfield: I echo the sentiments about colleagues commit to community policing in Northern Ireland to who are leaving, in particular my fellow Northern Ireland help him cope? Affairs Committee member,the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey), who has stood up for Northern Ireland. Julian Smith: The PSNI has received additional funding in the run-up to Brexit. I remain in constant touch with At the Select Committee last week it was revealed that the Chief Constable, and I will ensure that the funding the cost of MLA salaries has reached over £15 million and resourcing they need to do their job, which they do since the Assembly was dissolved.