Special tax zone to realise Kelvin pitch

During a debate at Westminster, Foyle MP Mark Durkan argued the North West should be regarded a special economic case given its peripheral nature and the fact it straddles the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland border.

Speaking during a discussion on the potential of changing the corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland the Foyle MP asked Secretary of State Owen Paterson if he would take particular account of the circumstances of border areas such as Londonderry.

He asked: "Is he prepared to receive proposals on cross-border economic zones and their tax treatment, not least in the north-west, so that we can win investment and employment on the back of the cross-border Project Kelvin?"

The Conservative Secretary of State said he was open to all ideas and would give any proposals an open hearing.

He said: "I am open to any ideas that will help to revive the private sector in Northern Ireland, which we all agree is too small. If the hon. Gentleman would like to make suggestions, my door will always be open.

"However, he should remember that a lot of this is devolved, with the decisions in the hands of his colleagues in the Assembly, and that this is a team game."