Speeches by Benn.

“We are making, I think, pretty considerable progress on implementing the “Safeguarding the Union” commitments. Do you have particular commitments in mind?”

“I have a chart.”

“Indeed. The longest bit on the chart says “delivered”. There is an “imminent delivery” category, and then we have “in progress”.”

“That is a very important question. First, I hugely welcome the restoration of the Executive. I think that they are getting on with the task in hand. They have big challenges. There is no justification whatsoever for the institutions to collapse again—none. Having been in the job almost a year now, I would observe that …”

“No, I understand what you mean. It is a difficult one, because if the Government take the lead, people say, “Ah, so you are anticipating”—”

“As I said in answer to your earlier question, if a broad consensus emerges that changes are necessary to make the institutions work more effectively together in future, of course the Government would look at that, but I think that that needs to come from the parties. There may be relatively minor changes, and there cou…”

“What was the question?”

“What are the circumstances that arise—the prelude to the hypothetical question?”

“The answer to your question is that if there were proposals, of course I would look at them. But it depends what the proposals are, what the degree of consensus is and what the circumstances are. That is why, with respect, it is difficult to answer the question in a way that would satisfy one of your children. But I wi…”

“It is the Assembly Executive and Review Committee—I think have the initials right.”

“I have? Oh, good. I will take that praise, especially given where it is coming from.”

“I have met Airbus on at least two—maybe three—occasions and had discussions with them. The Spirit site is hugely important to the aerospace industry in Northern Ireland. It is a great residue of skill and talent. The manufacturer of the A220 wings is an astonishing thing to visit, as I have done. Airbus has made it qui…”

“In fairness, I think the Government have been working hard to encourage an economic commercial answer to this question, in the same way as we did with Harland & Wolff. We were in the same place—in fact, a more difficult one—in relation to Harland & Wolff, but in the end, finding a commercial outcome was a success, and …”

“As I understand it, you have written to Jonathan Reynolds.”

“Since you have asked me the question, I undertake to the Committee to follow that up with him.”

“Let me take it up with him first if that’s okay.”

“The Supreme Court judgment was in 2020, and the last Government could not find a legal solution in almost three years. I am committed to finding one, and I promise that I will update the House when we have found it.”

“I listen carefully to all the representations that are made to me, including in that report, which I have read. I am committed to introducing legislation as soon as possible, although that is subject to the availability of parliamentary time. This Government came into office absolutely committed to remedying the absolu…”

“The Government have begun the process of repealing and replacing the previous Government’s legacy Act. The draft remedial order in Parliament represents the first step. The Government will address the other issues arising from several court findings of incompatibility in primary legislation.”

“The Government and I support the Union, and I also support the Good Friday agreement. I point out to the hon. and learned Gentleman that when it comes to customs arrangements, there are no mandatory checks. There are checks that apply generally on the basis of risk and intelligence.”