To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on implementation of the Government's big society proposals in Northern Ireland.

I am a member of the Ministerial Committee on the Big Society and I am meeting next month with the noble Lord, Lord Wei, who advises Government on these matters to discuss how best to engage with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers on the Big Society agenda. These issues are largely devolved in Northern Ireland but we would be happy to share ideas and collaborate where that is appropriate.