Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 4 November 2009.
Julian Brazier
Shadow Minister (Transport)
11:30,
4 November 2009
What recent assessment he has made of the progress of devolution of responsibility for criminal justice and policing to the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement.
Shaun Woodward
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
It is for the parties in Northern Ireland to decide when to request transfer. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made a settlement of upwards of £800 million available to the parties if they reach agreement.
Julian Brazier
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Is the Secretary of State satisfied that in no circumstances will intelligence-gathering be compromised under any possible devolution?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
