David Simpson: I congratulate the hon. Member for Brent, South (Ms Butler) on an excellent maiden speech. She and I have something in common. She mentioned that her predecessor was accosted on the streets. Mine also was accosted on the streets, but for different reasons, which we will not discuss today. Coming from a working-class background and a small village just outside County Armagh I am humbled,...
David Simpson: If he will make a statement on the review of rating policy in Northern Ireland.
David Simpson: In light of the fact that a majority of the people in Northern Ireland voted for parties that had specific manifesto commitments to oppose the Government's current plans to change the rating system in the Province, will the Minister consider delaying any legislation on that until there is a consensus among the people on whom it will have a direct impact?
David Simpson: I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that there can be no fudging whatsoever on the whole decommissioning issue. Will he join me in condemning the targeting and intimidation of members of the Royal Irish Regiment and their families, and of members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and their families? Not a month goes past in my constituency without members of the security forces,...
David Simpson: Will the Minister tell us how much finance the Government have put aside for the current financial year for research into spina bifida?
David Simpson: No.
David Simpson: The Minister will appreciate that the poultry industry right across the United Kingdom has grown dramatically over the past five to 10 years, so can she assure the House that she will ensure that there is adequate veterinary supervision not only at the rearing stage but in the production and manufacturing process, and that if something were to happen, the Government are prepared with extra...
David Simpson: I agree with my hon. Friend. Up to the end of September, I think that 14 security force member families were moved from their homes, and only this week and last week, I have dealt with four security force member families in my constituency. I urge the Government to speed up the special purchase of evacuated dwellings scheme, because these families are desperate. We are dealing with the...
David Simpson: I cannot promise to be as entertaining as my colleagues. If the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Donaldson) ever thinks of giving up politics, he would make a good sales director for his constituency. The Minister will be aware of the difficulties in my constituency in relation to the Craigavon area plan. I see her smiling. I am sure that she was on therapy when she was dealing with the...
David Simpson: Can the Leader of the House explain why the Government have cut funding to young enterprise programmes throughout the United Kingdom, including in Northern Ireland?
David Simpson: I was disappointed by what the Secretary of State said about the Northern Ireland economy when he was in New York. I have been involved in the Northern Ireland business community for 25 years, and I know that it is one of the strongest communities in Northern Ireland. Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with Invest Northern Ireland to promote small businesses?
David Simpson: If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23 November.
David Simpson: I thank the Prime Minister for listing his engagements and I concur with his sentiments and sympathy for the two serving members who lost their lives. My right hon. and hon. Friends will also concur with that. May I leave this thought with the Prime Minister? What would the British people and members of his party think of him if he offered an amnesty to the murderer of the police officer?...
David Simpson: Nor will there be.
David Simpson: I have listened to many points raised today by my hon. Friends. I think that I can safely say that no one would like to see normality in Northern Ireland more than I would. Four members of my family were murdered at the hands of terrorism. The first one who was murdered was a police officer—he was shot outside Coalisland barracks, and he was in the Royal hospital in Belfast and South Tyrone...
David Simpson: What progress is the Chancellor making on funding for the young enterprise programmes across the UK, as the budgets have been cut dramatically?
David Simpson: I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for South Antrim (Dr. McCrea) on securing the debate. I listened carefully; he covered nearly every point of agriculture, including the fertiliser that goes on the grass. I have to congratulate him on going into so much detail, because agriculture is an important industry in Northern Ireland. My background in the agricultural business is 25 years...
David Simpson: Someone told me that it is good to be a positive advertisement for the industry. It took an awful lot of money to put it here.
David Simpson: It would be a shame to lose it. The beef industry has gone through hard times, and I would like to comment on that. I will do so briefly, as I know that the Minister is eager to start answering all the questions that have been put to her. I welcome the Government's announcement last week that £1.3 million will be put aside to assist Northern Ireland's beef industry. It is to be hoped that...
David Simpson: I agree 100 per cent. with my hon. Friend's comments. Recent television programmes have shown the situation; he mentioned the pig sector, about which a programme was made. It showed how much it took to produce a pig up to a certain stage and how much people were losing by doing so. They took that same pig and transferred it into the retail side at the supermarkets; the price for the same...