Oral QuestionNorthern Ireland Office

If he will make it his policy to support public ownership of Lough Neagh; and if he will make a statement.

Tabled: 29 August 2023Answered: 6 September 2023

Asked by

Mary Kelly Foy

LabourCity of Durham

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Answer from Hansard

The Deputy Prime Minister

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his question. I bought a new suit this morning because my godmother said that she would be watching. His question brings to mind the West Indies Regiment and its contribution in two world wars. I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Member for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson) for ensuring that despite wearing a new suit, I have managed to put my poppy on. We wear a poppy to remember all those who fought and died for this country. They represented every walk of life, every race and every religion. My ministerial colleague, the noble Lord Coaker, will be proud to lay a wreath at the annual remembrance event at the Cenotaph to mark our enduring gratitude to generations of Jewish service personnel and veterans, and I would like to thank AJEX for organising the event and for all that it does throughout the year to keep alive the memory of the Jewish people, many of whose descendants live in Stamford Hill in my constituency, who gave their lives for this country.