Former Labour MP for Wigan
First, I apologise to the House for my absence during most of the debate, but my party's Whips saw fit to put me on several Committees considering statutory instruments today, so I have been like a yo-yo, in and out of the Chamber in the fulfilment of my other functions. As the House will know, for a long time I was Opposition spokesman on Northern Ireland. I spent much time there, and still...
May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his efforts to promote business and employment opportunities in Northern Ireland? Can he give any figures on the number of young people in Northern Ireland who are taking advantage of Labour's new deal?
What recent meetings she has had with the Irish Government concerning the implementation of the Good Friday agreement. [71198]
When my right hon. Friend met the Taoiseach on 3 February, clearly, a lot of serious and difficult issues still had to be resolved in the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement. What progress has been made on the implementation of the north-south bodies, which are clearly an important element in the agreement?
I agree with the right hon. Member for Upper Bann (Mr. Trimble) about the inclusion of disabled people on the Equality Commission. My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) also mentioned that. It would be intolerable if the new commission did not contain representatives of the disabled. I have a brief question. Clause 60 lists the commissions that will be incorporated in...
My right hon. Friend is replying to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) about the civic forum. I am a member of the British-Irish interparliamentary body, a forum set up a number of years ago. How does my right hon. Friend see our future role, as British parliamentarians and Members of the Dail Eireann try to foster good relationships between the...
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
rose—
