Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022-01-26
2022-01-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about plans to celebrate the significant milestone of Her Majesty's reign.
What plans his Department has to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.
Officials in the Northern Ireland Office are working closely with officials in DCMS on a series of events to mark Her Majesty's jubilee. My right hon. Friend and my noble Friend Lord Caine are working on plans for Northern Ireland, focusing on peace and reconciliation.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about celebration plans were not provided; instead the answer focused on events being planned generally without specifics.
Broad Statements
Vague Promises
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about ensuring all parts of the NHS celebrate the jubilee.
Will the Minister describe how he will encourage all parts of the NHS across Northern Ireland to celebrate the platinum jubilee as one great, unifying feature of the Union towards another?
Everyone in every part of our United Kingdom is proud of the NHS. The immense contribution of frontline NHS staff will be recognised during this jubilee year, but no specific measures were outlined.
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Assessment & feedback
No specifics on how to encourage NHS participation; instead general praise was given.
Broad Statements
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP wanted details on showcasing Northern Ireland during the jubilee.
Her Majesty's platinum jubilee is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our Union far and wide, with people around the Commonwealth and the world joining us in marking the occasion. Will the Secretary of State set out the Government's plans on using the jubilee to showcase the best of Northern Ireland?
Her Majesty's contribution to reconciliation and mutual understanding will be celebrated, but no specific plans were detailed on showcasing Northern Ireland.
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Assessment & feedback
No specifics provided about showcasing Northern Ireland; general recognition of the Queen's contributions was given.
Broad Statements
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about recognising frontline paramedics working in A&E and private ambulances.
This summer, Her Majesty will award jubilee medals to members of the armed forces and emergency services and to prison officers. As things stand, frontline paramedics working for ambulance services will rightly be recognised, but those working in hospital A&E departments and private ambulances might not be. Will my right hon. Friend work with ministerial colleagues to ensure that all frontline paramedics get the recognition their work so richly deserves?
My hon. Friend makes his point powerfully and I will make sure it is heard by relevant Ministers, but no concrete action was promised beyond that.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitments were made to ensure all frontline paramedics receive recognition; only a promise to raise the issue with colleagues was given.
Promises Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP wanted to know if the protocol would hinder planting oak trees in celebration.
As we begin the 70th year of Her Majesty's reign, the Northern Ireland protocol still seems to threaten the free movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Will the Minister take urgent action to stand up to the bureaucratic posturing of the European Union and ensure that oak tree saplings can be traded freely between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom for the platinum jubilee?
There is absolutely no reason why oak tree saplings should not be planted in Northern Ireland as they are elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The Foreign Secretary is on this case.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or plans were provided to ensure free movement of goods; only reassurance was given that it would happen.
Promises Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked if the Secretary of State and Minister would visit planting events.
The Queen's Green Canopy is a wonderful way to both celebrate the jubilee and promote the environment. Tomorrow, in Dervock, Bushmills, Ballymoney and Ballymena, a number of primary schools will plant trees to mark Her Majesty's jubilee. I encourage the Secretary of State, the Minister and, indeed, the Foreign Secretary, who will be in Northern Ireland tomorrow, to take the opportunity to visit one of those schools and encourage young people as they promote the environment, honour Her Majesty the Queen and encourage our country to look positively to its future.
All Members will look forward to planting trees. I would happily accept an invitation to join the hon. Gentleman in his constituency and plant a tree tomorrow.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific plans were given; only personal commitments were made.
Personal Commitments
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP proposed having musical events across the UK to celebrate.
As hon. Members on the Benches behind me know, my wife hails from County Armagh. There is a tremendous link between Scotland and Northern Ireland through music; recently, the Kiltearn Fiddlers from my constituency have played in Northern Ireland as the guests of Ulster University. Would it not be splendid if we could celebrate Her Majesty's jubilee by having musical events the length and breadth of our United Kingdom?
What a wonderful, harmonious note on which to end Northern Ireland questions. No specific details were provided about music events.
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Assessment & feedback
No specifics about celebrating jubilee with music; only praise was given for the idea without commitment.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked if the Government would follow Her Majesty's example.
People in Newport West and across Northern Ireland know that Her Majesty has always led by example and demonstrated the highest standards in public life, so can the Minister confirm that this Government will be following her example as they mark her platinum jubilee?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that Her Majesty is an example to us all. The House should unite in thanking her for decades of dedicated service, but no specific commitments were made about Government actions.
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Assessment & feedback
No specifics provided; only general statements praising the Queen's legacy without addressing how the Government would act.
Broad Statements
Response accuracy