Speeches by Benn.

“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.”

“I certainly undertake to you, Mr Hoare, and to the Committee that, following the meeting Hamish Falconer will have with the families, I will have a further discussion with him, if that is helpful.”

“All I can say on that is that I readily agreed to meet Mr and Mrs Parry, and they put precisely that case to me. When we met, I of course took advice, and it has been put to me that there are some differences to do with the nature of the UN resolution. I suspect you know a great deal about this, because of your long-st…”

“I met Mr and Mrs Parry recently, together, I think, with Mr Blum and Mr McCue. As you know, the Government have been considering what to do about the Shawcross report, which was commissioned as an internal document by the previous Government. The Government recognises the significant public interest that there is in th…”

“As you just pointed out, it falls to the Home Office to take a decision. I don’t know when they are going to be able to give an answer or what that answer is going to be, but I will just point out that, as I indicated to the Committee earlier, a Guildford pub bombing family has gone to the commission, and the commissio…”

“There is a specific question that has been raised in respect of Stakeknife and that the Government is currently considering. Given the seriousness of the issue that that raises in respect of “neither confirm nor deny”, it is right that we consider that extremely carefully. We have reassured Operation Kenova that that i…”

“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 trade deal with the USA, together with the agreements with the EU and India, are very significant. Northern Ireland exporters, including those exporting services, technology and farming goods, will benefit in the same way as those in other parts of the UK. In particular, the US deal is a major opportunity for North…”

“The hon. Gentleman is right to point out that EU retaliatory tariffs directed at the USA would have an impact in Northern Ireland, because of its dual-market access. I can write to him with further details of how precisely that would work. It depends partly on whether there is less or more than a 3% difference between …”

“The Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which we will discuss next month at the East-West Council, remains strong. The deal with the EU will enable the smooth flow of agrifood and plants within the UK’s internal market. That is why it has been overwhelmingly welcomed by businesses.”