Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Wednesday 26 January 2022 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Officials in the Northern Ireland Office are collaborating with DCMS on events to mark the Queen's platinum jubilee.
  • The NHS's role in the Union will be recognized during the jubilee year, though no specific measures were detailed.
  • The opportunity to celebrate the Union through Her Majesty's jubilee is acknowledged, but no detailed plans for showcasing Northern Ireland were provided.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP asked about plans to celebrate the significant milestone of Her Majesty's reign.

Question

What plans his Department has to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

Answer from Conor Burns

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about celebration plans were not provided; instead the answer focused on events being planned generally without specifics.

How: Broad Statements, Vague Promises

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Q2 Andrew Lewer Con
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP asked about ensuring all parts of the NHS celebrate the jubilee.

Question

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?

Answer from Conor Burns

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specifics on how to encourage NHS participation; instead general praise was given.

How: Broad Statements

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Q3 Antony Higginbotham
Northern Ireland Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP wanted details on showcasing Northern Ireland during the jubilee.

Question

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?

Answer from Conor Burns

Her Majesty's contribution to reconciliation and mutual understanding will be celebrated, but no specific plans were detailed on showcasing Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specifics provided about showcasing Northern Ireland; general recognition of the Queen's contributions was given.

How: Broad Statements

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Q4 Mike Wood Con Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Policing & Resources NHS
Context

The MP asked about recognising frontline paramedics working in A&E and private ambulances.

Question

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?

Answer from Conor Burns

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitments were made to ensure all frontline paramedics receive recognition; only a promise to raise the issue with colleagues was given.

How: Promises Without Specifics

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Q5 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The MP wanted to know if the protocol would hinder planting oak trees in celebration.

Question

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?

Answer from Conor Burns

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or plans were provided to ensure free movement of goods; only reassurance was given that it would happen.

How: Promises Without Specifics

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Q6 Ian Paisley Jnr DUP
Northern Ireland Environment
Context

The MP asked if the Secretary of State and Minister would visit planting events.

Question

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.

Answer from Conor Burns

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans were given; only personal commitments were made.

How: Personal Commitments

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Q7 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Northern Ireland Scotland
Context

The MP proposed having musical events across the UK to celebrate.

Question

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?

Answer from Conor Burns

What a wonderful, harmonious note on which to end Northern Ireland questions. No specific details were provided about music events.

Not addressed: No specifics about celebrating jubilee with music; only praise was given for the idea without commitment.

How: Changing Subject

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Q8 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP asked if the Government would follow Her Majesty's example.

Question

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?

Answer from Conor Burns

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.

Not addressed: No specifics provided; only general statements praising the Queen's legacy without addressing how the Government would act.

How: Broad Statements

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