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At last, as a result of the Minister’s full answer, we are getting to some of the detail about the impact of changes to corporation tax. Will he share a little more of his assessment of cuts in corporation tax? He will have seen the news reports showing that private sector output has shrunk to 2003 levels in Northern Ireland. How long will it be before a change to corporation tax generates additional jobs in the private sector? What assessment has he made of the impact on jobs in both the public and the private sectors were there to be that immediate cut in the block grant to ameliorate the cut in corporation tax? We need to know the answers to such questions, as do the Northern Ireland Executive and the people of Northern Ireland.
At last, as a result of the Minister’s full answer, we are getting to some of the detail about the impact of changes to corporation tax. Will he share a little more of his assessment of cuts in corporation tax? He will have seen the news reports showing that private sector output has shrunk to 2003 levels in Northern Ireland. How long will it be before a change to corporation tax generates additional jobs in the private sector? What assessment has he made of the impact on jobs in both the public and the private sectors were there to be that immediate cut in the block grant to ameliorate the cut in corporation tax? We need to know the answers to such questions, as do the Northern Ireland Executive and the people of Northern Ireland.
Asked by
Lord Coaker
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I shall try to keep my answer brief because I fear that you, Dr McCrea, will start impersonating the Speaker if I go on for too long.
The shadow Secretary of State makes a good point. It is precisely those details that the joint ministerial working group is now about to flesh out. He has made my point for me: a reduction in the private sector in Northern Ireland cries out for us to do something about it. We are determined to rebalance the economy. We owe it to the people of Northern Ireland to take the matter very seriously because we believe that it is a key factor in promoting private sector growth. Northern Ireland has had to take its share of cuts across the board—less than it might have had otherwise incidentally. We are absolutely committed to rebalancing the economy, part of which is growth in the private sector.
How do we bring about growth in the private sector? One of the quickest ways is to send out the right signals that Northern Ireland is open for business and that it is a competitive place in which to do business. That was one of the critical reasons why we were so determined to keep open the trans-Atlantic air link to the United States.
Subjects
Corporation tax; Northern Ireland; Tax rates and bands
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I support the hon. Member for South Down on this issue. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee looked at it and was startled and worried by this intervention by the European Union. It is unacceptable, at a time when we are doing our utmost to kick-start the economy in Northern Ireland, for the EU to come forward with this measure, and retrospectively at that. I have written to the Secretary of State expressing those views on behalf of the Committee. Will the Minister redouble his efforts? With respect, I do not quite think that it is good enough to say that it is beyond his and the Secretary of State’s powers. We have to go to Europe and say that this is absolutely unacceptable.
I support the hon. Member for South Down on this issue. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee looked at it and was startled and worried by this intervention by the European Union. It is unacceptable, at a time when we are doing our utmost to kick-start the economy in Northern Ireland, for the EU to come forward with this measure, and retrospectively at that. I have written to the Secretary of State expressing those views on behalf of the Committee. Will the Minister redouble his efforts? With respect, I do not quite think that it is good enough to say that it is beyond his and the Secretary of State’s powers. We have to go to Europe and say that this is absolutely unacceptable.
Asked by
Laurence Robertson
(Conservative)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
Indeed. My hon. Friend chides me for not getting more involved on this issue. If I could, I would. This matter is now being discussed at a very high level in Europe. Those discussions are being led by Treasury Ministers who are very sympathetic to what it is we are trying to say and do. All I can say is that the matter is being dealt with. It is not being sidelined or neglected; it is taken very seriously by Government, but at a level that is different from that of the Secretary of State and myself, if I can put it like that.
Subjects
Aggregates levy; Northern Ireland; Tax allowances
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
Does the Minister agree that not only is there no consensus on how we deal with the past, but consensus is unlikely? Is it not the case that many people in Northern Ireland are concerned that the constant harping on about the past only picks at the scab and the wound that will never heal unless we, as a community, decide that our future is to discuss the future, rather than continuously going back to the past?
Does the Minister agree that not only is there no consensus on how we deal with the past, but consensus is unlikely? Is it not the case that many people in Northern Ireland are concerned that the constant harping on about the past only picks at the scab and the wound that will never heal unless we, as a community, decide that our future is to discuss the future, rather than continuously going back to the past?
Asked by
Gregory Campbell
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I know where the hon. Gentleman is coming from, but it is not realistic to imagine that we can completely draw a line and say that the past never happened, because for many people the past has been the dominating factor in their lives. There is hope. I think that the average age in Northern Ireland is now 34 or so, and for many people of that generation, the troubles do not have the same resonance as they do for people of our maturity.
That does not mean that we do not owe it to those older people who lived through those troubled times to reach some kind of conclusion. We have been consistent in saying that we believe that the best way of progressing this matter and trying to reach closure for some families is through the Historical Enquiries Team. We believe that they are doing a good job and that that is the proper place to continue the work. They are more than halfway through their inquiries, and we think that that is right. We are against costly and open-ended inquiries. We have said that consistently. We do not believe that they are the way forward. Equally, we do accept that a range of people, from across the divide, want to get at the truth. That is why we must help them, in any way we can, to achieve that.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland government; Terrorism
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c5-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I welcome what the Government have done in listening to representations made from across the House on airport duty and in making the reduction, which is important as we try to rebalance our economy from the public to the private sector.
Will the Minister have a word with the Chancellor to go the extra mile in encouraging local businesses? They are being squeezed to death by the Arthur Daley of banking—namely, Frank Daly of the National Asset Management Agency. Will the Minister have a word in the Chancellor’s ear and tell him to ease the pressure on local businesses in Northern Ireland, so that we can rebalance our economy?
I welcome what the Government have done in listening to representations made from across the House on airport duty and in making the reduction, which is important as we try to rebalance our economy from the public to the private sector.
Will the Minister have a word with the Chancellor to go the extra mile in encouraging local businesses? They are being squeezed to death by the Arthur Daley of banking—namely, Frank Daly of the National Asset Management Agency. Will the Minister have a word in the Chancellor’s ear and tell him to ease the pressure on local businesses in Northern Ireland, so that we can rebalance our economy?
Asked by
Ian Jnr Paisley
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I thank the hon. Gentleman for congratulating the Government on making the reduction. We did not do it entirely unilaterally; we delivered on the deal, but I very much appreciate the support that we received in trying to get the Treasury into the right place. That was a good example of our all working collectively well together at different levels.
There is pressure on Northern Ireland’s businesses. I suggest that the pressure on businesses in NAMA or in banking would have been even more difficult had the Government not been involved in the package for the Government in Dublin. However, we are very aware of that pressure, particularly in the property sector. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of many people who are in NAMA in the Republic, and we will have to watch that situation. His colleague, the hon. Member for East Antrim, the Finance Minister, who is in his place, will no doubt also wish to take the issue very seriously, and we stand by to help in any way we can.
Subjects
Air passenger duty; Northern Ireland; Tax rates and bands
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c3-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
May I put on record my thanks for the efforts the Minister has made on air passenger duty? I know that the same commitment is being shown on the aggregates levy. Indeed, during the summer recess, had it not been for his intervention and the steps taken by the Chancellor, we would not have had the result that we now have, so I want to put that on the record.
On the aggregates levy, one thing that worries quarry owners in Northern Ireland is not just the fact that the scheme has now been declared illegal by the European Commission, but the prospect of the recovery of all the money saved as a result of the aggregates levy. If that is imposed, it will devastate the quarry industry. What discussions has the Minister had with the Treasury to seek assurances that if Europe seeks recovery, it will be vigorously opposed by Her Majesty’s Government and that the Treasury will take a case to ensure that recovery is not sought?
May I put on record my thanks for the efforts the Minister has made on air passenger duty? I know that the same commitment is being shown on the aggregates levy. Indeed, during the summer recess, had it not been for his intervention and the steps taken by the Chancellor, we would not have had the result that we now have, so I want to put that on the record.
On the aggregates levy, one thing that worries quarry owners in Northern Ireland is not just the fact that the scheme has now been declared illegal by the European Commission, but the prospect of the recovery of all the money saved as a result of the aggregates levy. If that is imposed, it will devastate the quarry industry. What discussions has the Minister had with the Treasury to seek assurances that if Europe seeks recovery, it will be vigorously opposed by Her Majesty’s Government and that the Treasury will take a case to ensure that recovery is not sought?
Asked by
Sammy Wilson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I am tempted to say that the hon. Gentleman is uncharacteristically conceding defeat before matters have been negotiated. The Government’s position is clear, as it was in all the early discussions that we had with him and Treasury Ministers. We want the matter resolved as quickly as possible. Of course I take on board the retrospective issue, and it is a key part of the negotiation, but it is critical that the industry in Northern Ireland knows what is going to happen. The longer the delay, the longer the industry will have to live in uncertainty at an extremely difficult time. That is why we will continue. We commit publicly this afternoon to push the matter as far as we can, but it is being negotiated properly at a high level in Brussels. We are aware of all the points made by the hon. Gentleman, and I have sympathy with them.
Subjects
Aggregates levy; Northern Ireland; Tax allowances
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c10-1
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr McCrea.
I very much welcome the Chancellor’s decision to reduce air passenger duty from today for all direct long-haul flights departing from airports in Northern Ireland. I am due to meet the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment later this month to discuss how we can promote new routes.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr McCrea.
I very much welcome the Chancellor’s decision to reduce air passenger duty from today for all direct long-haul flights departing from airports in Northern Ireland. I am due to meet the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment later this month to discuss how we can promote new routes.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
Jim Shannon
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to promote transatlantic links and encourage investment following the decision to reduce air passenger duty in Northern Ireland and devolve the matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Subjects
Air passenger duty; Northern Ireland; Tax rates and bands
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c3
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
Following the devolution of policing and justice in April 2010, matters relating to the Historical Enquiries Team are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice and the Chief Constable.
Following the devolution of policing and justice in April 2010, matters relating to the Historical Enquiries Team are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice and the Chief Constable.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
Kris Hopkins
(Conservative)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Historic Inquiries Team have had recent discussions with representatives of Sinn Fein; and if he will make a statement.
Subjects
Criminal investigation; Homicide; Northern Ireland; Sinn Féin; Historical Enquiries Team
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c11
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
The responses to the recent consultation on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy demonstrated huge interest in the potential benefits of a lower rate of corporation tax. The Exchequer Secretary has convened a ministerial working group to examine the matter further, and we will meet in the coming weeks.
The responses to the recent consultation on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy demonstrated huge interest in the potential benefits of a lower rate of corporation tax. The Exchequer Secretary has convened a ministerial working group to examine the matter further, and we will meet in the coming weeks.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
David Anderson
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has for corporation tax in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
Subjects
Corporation tax; Northern Ireland; Tax rates and bands
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
The responses to the recent consultation on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy demonstrated huge interest in the potential benefits of a lower rate of corporation tax. The Exchequer Secretary has convened a ministerial working group to examine the matter further, and we will meet in the coming weeks.
The responses to the recent consultation on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy demonstrated huge interest in the potential benefits of a lower rate of corporation tax. The Exchequer Secretary has convened a ministerial working group to examine the matter further, and we will meet in the coming weeks.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
David Simpson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on corporation tax in Northern Ireland.
Subjects
Corporation tax; Northern Ireland; Tax rates and bands
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
We remain determined to do all that we can to resolve this matter as soon as possible. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be meeting the hon. Lady in due course to discuss these matters further. Efforts continue to provide the Commission with the necessary evidence to enable them to approve the aggregates levy credit scheme, both retrospectively and for the future.
We remain determined to do all that we can to resolve this matter as soon as possible. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be meeting the hon. Lady in due course to discuss these matters further. Efforts continue to provide the Commission with the necessary evidence to enable them to approve the aggregates levy credit scheme, both retrospectively and for the future.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
(Social Democratic & Labour Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent progress has been made in discussions with the EU on reinstatement of the aggregates credit levy scheme.
Subjects
Aggregates levy; Northern Ireland; Tax allowances
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed the matter with a number of Northern Ireland Ministers. I understand that the hon. Member for East Antrim, as the Minister of Finance and Personnel, is due to meet the Governor of the Bank of England later this month, and has raised the matter with Treasury Ministers.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed the matter with a number of Northern Ireland Ministers. I understand that the hon. Member for East Antrim, as the Minister of Finance and Personnel, is due to meet the Governor of the Bank of England later this month, and has raised the matter with Treasury Ministers.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Dodds of Duncairn
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on bank lending in Northern Ireland.
Subjects
Banks; Northern Ireland; Loans
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c11-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have met a range of political parties and victims groups to discuss the issue of dealing with the past. So far, we have not found consensus. Although the Government have a role to play, the way forward on the matter must come from within Northern Ireland.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have met a range of political parties and victims groups to discuss the issue of dealing with the past. So far, we have not found consensus. Although the Government have a role to play, the way forward on the matter must come from within Northern Ireland.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
Naomi Long
(Alliance)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will convene talks to seek consensus on dealing with the past and its legacy.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland government; Terrorism
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I have discussed the Big Society Capital group with its interim chair, Sir Ronald Cohen, and the Minister for Civil Society—the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd)—the First Minister and the Northern Ireland Ministers for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the Department of Finance and Personnel, and the Department for Social Development. I intend to meet the Business Secretary to discuss the implications of the green investment bank for Northern Ireland in due course.
I have discussed the Big Society Capital group with its interim chair, Sir Ronald Cohen, and the Minister for Civil Society—the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd)—the First Minister and the Northern Ireland Ministers for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the Department of Finance and Personnel, and the Department for Social Development. I intend to meet the Business Secretary to discuss the implications of the green investment bank for Northern Ireland in due course.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
Mark Durkan
(Social Democratic & Labour Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on Northern Ireland's interest and involvement in the (a) Green Investment Bank and (b) Big Society Bank.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Green Investment Bank; Big Society Capital
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have met a range of political parties and victims groups to discuss the issue of dealing with the past. So far, we have not found consensus. Although the Government have a role to play, the way forward on the matter must come from within Northern Ireland.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have met a range of political parties and victims groups to discuss the issue of dealing with the past. So far, we have not found consensus. Although the Government have a role to play, the way forward on the matter must come from within Northern Ireland.
Answered by
Lord Swire
(Conservative)
Asked by
Jeffrey M Donaldson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with political parties on dealing with the legacy of the past.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland government; Terrorism
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I thank the Minister for his reply. As work is taken forward, will he ensure that both facilities are fully accessible and available to businesses and others in Northern Ireland? Will he also ensure that mistakes will not be made that were made with the renewable obligations regime that precluded projects with a cross-border dimension? It is important to the green investment bank that projects can have a cross-border character. When it comes to the conditions for accessing either facility, will he ensure that support from a Northern Ireland Government Department will not be a qualifying condition or a disqualifying condition?
I thank the Minister for his reply. As work is taken forward, will he ensure that both facilities are fully accessible and available to businesses and others in Northern Ireland? Will he also ensure that mistakes will not be made that were made with the renewable obligations regime that precluded projects with a cross-border dimension? It is important to the green investment bank that projects can have a cross-border character. When it comes to the conditions for accessing either facility, will he ensure that support from a Northern Ireland Government Department will not be a qualifying condition or a disqualifying condition?
Asked by
Mark Durkan
(Social Democratic & Labour Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I can answer the hon. Gentleman by saying that the green investment bank and the Big Society Capital group will operate on a United Kingdom-wide basis. That is the straight answer. If he wishes to learn a little more about Big Society Capital, which I am sure he does, I will be addressing that in greater detail following questions. I will discuss the cross-border aspect with ministerial colleagues, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman about it. Clearly, both the green investment bank and the Big Society Capital group will have as much to do in Northern Ireland as in any other part of the United Kingdom, and we shall ensure that that is the case.
Subjects
Cross border cooperation; Northern Ireland; Republic of Ireland; Green Investment Bank; Big Society Capital
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I thank the Minister for a very thoughtful response. I accept that there is as yet no consensus on how to deal with the past, but there has been at least some consensus in the Assembly on the passing of a recent motion, proposed by my colleagues there, that the Government should take a lead on convening talks to find consensus. Will the Minister at least undertake to give that detailed consideration and to provide a response to the Assembly on the issue?
I thank the Minister for a very thoughtful response. I accept that there is as yet no consensus on how to deal with the past, but there has been at least some consensus in the Assembly on the passing of a recent motion, proposed by my colleagues there, that the Government should take a lead on convening talks to find consensus. Will the Minister at least undertake to give that detailed consideration and to provide a response to the Assembly on the issue?
Asked by
Naomi Long
(Alliance)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I congratulate the hon. Lady’s party on tabling the motion—last week, I think. Since then, the Secretary of State has met Mr Speaker and a number of others to discuss this matter. We are genuinely committed to playing our part, but this is not owned by the national Government in Westminster; it must be done locally. Of course we have a part to play, and we will play it fully, but our part must be a part, not with us as the sole participant.
Given the recent motion in the Assembly, we will renew our efforts to work collectively to try to reach some kind of conclusion as to how we can deal with this matter, although I repeat that I do not believe that we can ever draw a line under it completely.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland government; Terrorism
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I thank the Minister for his reply. We all welcome the fact that air passenger duty has been decreased, but I understand that that reduction will be of £60 for an economy ticket and of £120 for a business class ticket. When will consumers see any reduction—in other words, will they see a reduction in their ticket price? Will the Minister discuss that with the Northern Ireland Minister who has responsibility for that matter?
I thank the Minister for his reply. We all welcome the fact that air passenger duty has been decreased, but I understand that that reduction will be of £60 for an economy ticket and of £120 for a business class ticket. When will consumers see any reduction—in other words, will they see a reduction in their ticket price? Will the Minister discuss that with the Northern Ireland Minister who has responsibility for that matter?
Asked by
Jim Shannon
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his thanks for our getting the reduction through. To clarify, the direct long-haul rate of APD will fall to the lower short-haul rate, which is currently £12 per passenger in economy and £24 per passenger in business and first class. As the hon. Gentleman will know, how the matter will actually be devolved is still under consideration, but the savings to passengers should flow through straight away.
Critically, by making the reduction, we have saved the only transatlantic route that we currently have, which I have called the economic umbilical cord to the United States. Collectively, all of us with Northern Ireland’s interests at heart should now be drawing the new rate to the attention of airlines that might wish to invest in that route.
Subjects
Air passenger duty; Northern Ireland; Tax rates and bands
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c3
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I thank the Minister for his response. The Irish presidential election was characterised by Martin McGuinness’s refusal once again to tell the truth about his IRA past. Does the Minister agree that it would be helpful if Mr McGuinness and his Sinn Fein colleagues engaged with the Historical Enquiries Team so that we can draw a line once and for all under the troubles in Northern Ireland?
I thank the Minister for his response. The Irish presidential election was characterised by Martin McGuinness’s refusal once again to tell the truth about his IRA past. Does the Minister agree that it would be helpful if Mr McGuinness and his Sinn Fein colleagues engaged with the Historical Enquiries Team so that we can draw a line once and for all under the troubles in Northern Ireland?
Asked by
Kris Hopkins
(Conservative)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The HET is in the process of investigating 2,206 deaths. Currently, the HET can say that 1,202 of those were caused by republicans, 699 by loyalists and 252 by the security services, and that the causes of 53 are unknown. Everybody in Northern Ireland is touched by the issue in some way. To do a thorough and comprehensive job, the HET requires all to co-operate. Yes, I think we should send a clear message to everybody in Northern Ireland that if the HET wishes them to co-operate in order to throw light on what happened, they should do so.
Subjects
Criminal investigation; Homicide; IRA; Northern Ireland; Sinn Féin; Historical Enquiries Team
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c11
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I thank the Minister for his answer. I understand that the British Government and the Treasury submitted the response to the European Commission in September. Given the downturn in the economy in Northern Ireland, and given that we want to pump-prime the local economy, bring about economic growth and business activity, and the need to ensure that the construction industry, in particular, is pump-primed, will he reflect on the situation in relation to the credit levy scheme and encourage the Secretary of State and the Treasury to go direct to Brussels to discuss the need to reinstate it?
I thank the Minister for his answer. I understand that the British Government and the Treasury submitted the response to the European Commission in September. Given the downturn in the economy in Northern Ireland, and given that we want to pump-prime the local economy, bring about economic growth and business activity, and the need to ensure that the construction industry, in particular, is pump-primed, will he reflect on the situation in relation to the credit levy scheme and encourage the Secretary of State and the Treasury to go direct to Brussels to discuss the need to reinstate it?
Asked by
Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
(Social Democratic & Labour Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
Indeed, and I think the best hope is to fully co-operate with the Commission’s investigation. As the hon. Lady knows, that is under way. There is a formal review of the scheme for Northern Ireland, and we have to wait for that to take place. I am aware of its impact on Northern Ireland and I very much welcome the Executive transferring £256 million to capital investment to promote infrastructure investment, which will help that part of the industry. However, these matters are now beyond my control and the control of the Secretary of State. They lie with Brussels and they will be resolved, but the British Government retain a real interest and are driving it forward. I cannot put a date on its conclusion, but I can assure her that it is on our agenda on a weekly basis.
Subjects
Aggregates levy; Northern Ireland; Tax allowances
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c9-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons
I thank the Minister for his response. There has been much talk about a truth commission as a possible way of dealing with the legacy of the past, but what hope do we have of getting the truth from people such as Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness when they deny their membership of the IRA? In Mr Adams’s case, it is a complete denial; Mr McGuinness says that he left after 1974. Surely the victims are entitled to expect a bit more than that. As we have seen in the recent presidential election in the Irish Republic, even victims in the south are demanding the full truth and not a half baked approach from Sinn Fein.
I thank the Minister for his response. There has been much talk about a truth commission as a possible way of dealing with the legacy of the past, but what hope do we have of getting the truth from people such as Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness when they deny their membership of the IRA? In Mr Adams’s case, it is a complete denial; Mr McGuinness says that he left after 1974. Surely the victims are entitled to expect a bit more than that. As we have seen in the recent presidential election in the Irish Republic, even victims in the south are demanding the full truth and not a half baked approach from Sinn Fein.
Asked by
Jeffrey M Donaldson
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Grand Committee
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 November 2011
The right hon. Gentleman makes his point. Clearly, the Government have said that we do not envisage a South African-style truth commission being the answer. We need to work together to come up with an answer, and I believe that we are making progress on that. Clearly, getting at the truth requires all those involved in Northern Ireland’s troubled history to play their part; otherwise, all we end up with is a very skewed version of the truth, which would not advance the situation at all.
Between us, we need to come up with something. I am not sure that we can ever completely draw a line —I think that that would be wishful thinking—but we can certainly do more than we have done in the past. The present Government, in the last 17 months, have moved very quickly on a number of difficult issues, not all of which have necessarily been popular. This matter is certainly one that we wish to pursue, working with the properly responsible local politicians in Northern Ireland.
Subjects
IRA; Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland government; Terrorism; Sinn Féin
Date
1 November 2011
Reference
NIGC c4-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
House
House of Commons