The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Carmichael on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the value to the economy in Northern Ireland of membership of the EU single market.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
The Government is fulfilling its manifesto commitment to seek a reformed relationship with Europe and then put the results of that negotiation to the people in a referendum.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carolyn Harris on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to support charities in Northern Ireland.
Mr Ben Wallace
Support for charities is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Government does however, support the Big Lottery Fund (BIG), which plays a vital role in supporting the charity sector in Northern Ireland.
The Chancellor announced in the Spending Review that BIG’s funding will be maintained and Northern Ireland will receive £27.3m.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Henry Bellingham on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
The threat from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism is severe.
It is being suppressed by the hard work of PSNI and MI5. Because of their efforts, the number of national security attacks has fallen from 40 in 2010 to 16 in 2015. But the need for total vigilance remains and will continue.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patricia Gibson on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much accrued to the public purse from sales of arms to Saudi Arabia in 2015.
Mr Philip Dunne
Official UK defence export statistics are compiled each year by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the figures for 2015 are not yet available.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Carol Monaghan on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Brimstone missiles have been used by the RAF in Syria since 2 December 2015.
Michael Fallon
Between 2 December 2015 and 18 January 2016 there have been five Brimstone missiles used against Daesh targets by the RAF in Syria. There have also been 32 Paveway IV and 6 Hellfire missiles used for the same period in Syria.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerald Howarth on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his priorities are for the acquisition of defence equipment over the next two years.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Strategic Defence and Security Review provided clarity of the Government’s defence equipment priorities not just for the next two years, but for the rest of this Parliament. We have committed to an additional £12 billion for the Equipment Plan to £178 billion over the next 10 years. This includes finalising investment proposals for the next stage of the Successor nuclear deterrent programme and the procurement of a new fleet of nine Boeing P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as we build towards Joint Force 2025.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Kawczynski on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he is having with his Russian counterpart on improving collaboration on defence affairs.
Michael Fallon
I am not currently engaged in any discussions with my Russian counterpart. The illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Russia’s continuing support to separatists in eastern Ukraine do not allow a return to normal engagement.
However, in the interests of Air and Maritime safety, I have authorised MOD officials to undertake limited military to military engagement with the Russians, which is now in progress.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Garnier on 2016-01-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage recruitment of cadets.
Mr Julian Brazier
We are determined that many more young people benefit from the Cadets experience. Hence we have committed an extra £50 million to increase the number of Cadet Units in schools across the UK to 500 by 2020.
More widely, the Community Cadet Forces continue to recruit new Cadets. Over 3,000 Community Cadet Force Units provide exceptional opportunities for over 131,000 young people to develop key life skills.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether members of the security forces who served in Northern Ireland are entitled to parity of esteem on the same basis as those from Northern Ireland.
Lord Dunlop
As I have made clear in previous answers on this subject the UK Government is committed to affording due respect and parity of esteem to all the people in Northern Ireland as underpinned by the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and in accordance with the obligations on the Government to promote equality and prevent discrimination across the United Kingdom.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-12.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define parity of esteem as set out in the Belfast Agreement 1998.
Lord Dunlop
As I have made clear in previous answers on this subject the UK Government is committed to affording due respect and parity of esteem to all the people in Northern Ireland as underpinned by the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and in accordance with the obligations on the Government to promote equality and prevent discrimination across the United Kingdom.