Northern Ireland round-up: 10 February 2010

Written questions

• Commons Hansard: Offical cars for the Northern Ireland Office
• Commons Hansard: Prisons in Northern Ireland
• Commons Hansard: Organised crime in Northern Ireland

Written questions can be used by MPs or Lords to hold the Government to account, requesting information such as policy detail or statistics.

Oral questions

• Video: Criminal justice and policing
• Video: Security situation in Northern Ireland
• Video: Loyalist decommissioning
• Video: Recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland
• Video: Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland
• Video: Fuel smuggling in Northern Ireland

Oral questions provide an opportunity for MPs and Lords to ask Government ministers questions on the floor of each House. These questions are asked at the start of the day's business in both chambers.

Ministerial statements

• Video: Northern Ireland devolution
• Commons Hansard: Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal Order)

Ministerial statements can take the form of either oral or written statements. Oral statements often address major incidents, policies and actions. Written statements are often used to put the day-to-day business of government on the official record.

Legislation

• Parliament News: Northern Ireland Bill: Lords report stage

Report stage in the House of Lords gives all Members further opportunity to consider all amendments (proposals for change) to a Bill.

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

• Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Northern Ireland Office.

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