asked Her Majesty's Government:
What functions, both public and private, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has fulfilled in Northern Ireland since appointment; and [HL25]
What public appointments the current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has had, outside Northern Ireland, since his appointment; and [HL694]
When they plan to answer the Question (HL25) tabled on 6 November; and what are the reasons for the delay. [HL783]
I apologise to the noble Lord for the delay in answering. The information requested by the noble Lord is held by the Northern Ireland Office. However, the disclosure of some of this information, including details of internal or interdepartmental meetings with Ministers or officials, would be prejudicial to the effective conduct of public affairs.
The information that can be disclosed is set out in the following table. In addition to those functions listed, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has had a number of meetings with political parties in Northern Ireland and has regular meetings with other key public figures in Northern Ireland.
Week beginning Engagement 25 June 2007 Cabinet 2 July 2007 Cabinet Co-Operation Ireland Dinner 9 July 2007 Cabinet Buckingham Palace Garden Party NI Bureau Reception Interview Adrian Flannelly Show Interview with Irish Echo Interview with Irish Voice Interview with Press Association British Consul Reception 16 July 2007 British-Irish Council Cabinet US Ambassador Cabinet Committee Meeting 23 July 2007 Cabinet NI Questions Peers with an NI Interest 27 August 2007 Tour of Belfast Reception for people of Hillsborough Area 3 September 2007 Cabinet Visit to PSNI Lisburn British Irish Association Interview with BBC 10 September 2007 NI Human Rights Commission Cabinet Cabinet Committee Meeting Police Federation Conference 17 September 2007 Cabinet Committee Meeting Cabinet Reception for IICD 1 October 2007 Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers Russian Ambassador Policing & Devolution Committee 8 October 2007 Cabinet Italian Ambassador Australian High Commissioner Visit to HMP Maghaberry 15 October 2007 Reception & dinner for Select Committee Cabinet Interview with Boston Globe Speech at Boston Harbour Hotel University Seminar Harvard School of Government American Ireland Fund Business Leaders Interview with Out of Ireland Television Press Interviews Alfred E Smith Memorial Dinner 22 October 2007 Dinner with Policing Board Cabinet Operation Banner Lunch Reception for Vital Voices 29 October 2007 Dinner for Parades Commission Cabinet Reception for RUC Widows, GC Fund etc 5 November 2007 Juvenile Justice Centre Cabinet Committee Meeting Cabinet State Opening of Parliament Media re IMC Report Saudi Arabian Ambassador Co-operation Ireland Dinner NI Prison Memorial Service Remembrance Service 12 November 2007 Cabinet NI Questions Co-operation Ireland Dinner Friends of Ireland UK Caucus of House of Representatives 19 November 2007 Cabinet 26 November 2007 British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body Cabinet Media interview
asked Her Majesty's Government:
On how many occasions since appointment the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has officially visited the United States; on what dates he travelled to and from that country; what was the purpose of any such visits; and what was the cost; and [HL288]
Whether the current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland stayed in the United States on official business; if so, when; at what cost; and how many officials were involved and at what cost. [HL451]
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has visited the United States on official business on three occasions since appointment. It is important as we progress towards the completion of devolution to maintain contact with the US Administration and key politicians and opinion formers there. Such visits also enable my right honourable friend to support the devolved Administration in attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland.
Details are as follows. It is not possible accurately to disaggregate the cost for accompanying officials from those incurred by the Secretary of State. The estimated costs include flights, hotel accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses where available.
Washington DC and New York—10 July to 13 July—accompanied by three officials; estimated cost £21,300
Boston and New York—16 October to 18 October—accompanied by three officials; estimated cost £29,125
Washington DC and New York—14 November to 19 November—accompanied by two officials; estimated cost £19,500.