The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-05-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether his Department has invited representatives of the devolved administrations to join the ad hoc ministerial-led steering group set up to report on the implementation of his Department’s National Space Security Policy.
Mr David Willetts
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she last met the Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment to discuss that organisation’s role in attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
It has not been possible to meet the outgoing Chief Executive of UKTI. I look forward to meeting Dominic Jermey in the coming weeks to discuss how UKTI can promote Northern Ireland trade and investment working in tandem with InvestNI.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Executive to increase foreign direct investment to Northern Ireland.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
The successful G8 Summit and follow-up investment conference have highlighted Northern Ireland as a great place in which to invest.
I continue to work in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment to attract Foreign Direct Investment to Northern Ireland building on the success of the Northern Ireland Investment Conference at which my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister made the keynote address.
On 7 November I co-hosted, with Arlene Foster, the Northern Ireland Investment Seminar at Lancaster House for a number of High Commissioners and Ambassadors to explain the benefits for their respective countries of trade and investment in Northern Ireland. NIO and Invest NI officials are now meeting the trade and commercial officers from the Embassies with a view to inviting their respective Ambassador to lead a trade delegation to Northern Ireland on a visit co-hosted by myself and the DETI minister.
The first two of these Ambassadorial visits will take place in September and October and it is envisaged that other visits will take place over the coming twelve months.
Arlene Foster has also invited me to participate with her at SIAL 2014 which will take place in Paris in October. SIAL is the world’s premier food exhibition and will provide a good opportunity to promote the excellence of Northern Ireland produce to the international food industry.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-05-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure industry and academia in Northern Ireland are able to benefit from opportunities in support of national space security interests.
Mr David Willetts
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on how the UK’s overseas posts may be used more effectively to promote Northern Ireland trade and investment.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues, including in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on the importance of promoting Northern Ireland trade and investment.
Our Embassies abroad regularly work with InvestNI and the Northern Ireland Executive to assist with trade missions led by Northern Ireland Ministers. I shall be discussing with the incoming UKTI Chief Executive shortly how best UKTI posts abroad can work even closer with their counterparts in InvestNI.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Northern Ireland.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
I am not aware of any recent cases of female genital mutilation being reported in Northern Ireland.
Female genital mutilation is a horrific form of child abuse and violence against women and girls, and the Northern Ireland Executive has put in place a number of safeguarding structures, policies and procedures designed to protect females.
The Civil Law Reform division of the Northern Ireland Executive Department of Finance & Personnel consulted on draft multi-agency practice guidelines on female genital mutilation earlier this year which were based on the Home Office’s Guidelines.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-05-13.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what meetings he has had with (a) the First Minister of Northern Ireland, (b) the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and (c) both the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.
Mr Nick Clegg
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she last held a meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
I was due to meet the Northern Ireland Social Development Minister in March but unfortunately the meeting had to be postponed. My private office has suggested further dates to his and is waiting to hear back.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-05-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Answer of 30 April 2014, Official Report, column 723W, on Northern Ireland government, when she last had a meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer I gave on 13 May 2014, Official Report, Column 521W.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ivan Lewis on 2014-04-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent meetings she has had on First World War centenary commemorations in Northern Ireland.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
The Northern Ireland Office plays a co-ordination role with the aim of ensuring that First World War commemorations are implemented in Northern Ireland in a manner which promotes reconciliation and enhances prospects for a peaceful, shared future.
Officials from my Department sit on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Programme Board for First World War Centenary Commemorations. They also have regular contact with officials in the British Embassy Dublin, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, and sit on the Northern Ireland First World War Centenary Committee chaired by Jeffrey Donaldson MP.
I receive regular updates on this work and will attend a number of events being planned to mark this important centenary over the course of the coming months. These events will take place in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and France.