First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Adam Jogee, the Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, about his recent discussions with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State responded that he had met with them twice in his first four days in the role, during which they discussed the government's commitment to repeal and replace the legacy Act. He stated that he plans to update the House shortly on how they will begin that process. Jogee welcomed the Secretary of State's commitment, noting that it would be welcomed in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Northern Ireland given the lack of support for the legacy Act. He asked the Secretary of State to undertake to consult widely on the Act's repeal and replacement, and to keep the House informed. The Secretary of State assured Jogee that he would do so, as the current approach has failed to secure support from political parties and victims' families in Northern Ireland. Robin Swann, the UUP MP for South Antrim, thanked the Secretary of State and asked him to give an assurance that he would deal openly and transparently with all the parties represented in the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, not just the parties of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. The Secretary of State gave that assurance, stating that he had met with all the party leaders. Alex Burghart, the Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar, welcomed the Secretary of State to his role and paid tribute to his predecessor, Chris Heaton-Harris. He asked the Secretary of State to reassure the House that he would be an active supporter of the Union and an advocate for it. The Secretary of State stated that the government is strongly committed to the United Kingdom, as set out in their manifesto, and that this would be reflected in their work. Burghart followed up, noting that the government's manifesto committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith, but did not mention the Command Paper which contained measures to strengthen the Union. He asked the Secretary of State to faithfully implement all the commitments in the Command Paper. The Secretary of State responded that when in opposition, they had supported the statutory instruments and Humble Address, and that they would set up the independent monitoring panel. He also noted a recent success in securing a 10-year derogation on dental amalgam, which had been welcomed by the parties in Northern Ireland.