Submit Evidence (by 5 Feb 2025)

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is launching an inquiry into Government policy on the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers from Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 26 November and 3 December (HL2612 and HL2976), who was invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the East–West Council held in Dover House on 24 March.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Attendance at the council remains flexible to align with themes of discussion and so to ensure its East-West dimension is upheld. The following were invited to the inaugural meeting:

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities & Minister for Intergovernmental Relations;

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland;

Minister of State for Northern Ireland;

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up;

First Minister of Northern Ireland;

deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland;

Minister for Communities, Northern Ireland; and

Minister for the Economy, Northern Ireland.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent estimate he has made of when the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner will be appointed.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government recognises the dedicated service of all our veterans and is committed to supporting the veteran community across the whole of the UK.

I have previously made clear my intention to confirm the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner before the end of the year and expect to make an announcement shortly.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the process for appointing the (a) First Minister and (b) Deputy First Minister.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties to discuss a range of issues, including the UK Government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term stability of Northern Ireland institutions.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to have discussions with political parties on the future of Northern Ireland's political institutions.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties to discuss a range of issues, including the UK Government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term stability of Northern Ireland institutions.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will published the legal advice he received on the European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government set out its position on the Bill during its Second Reading on 6 December 2024. Legal advice provided to the Government is privileged.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the EU General Product Safety Regulations on (a) businesses and (b) consumers in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) Great Britain; and what steps he is taking to mitigate that potential impact.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have in practice a limited impact overall. Where businesses need to make changes, many will be adapting anyway to be compliant with the new Regulation to continue trading with the EU.

In addition to the guidance published on 3 December, the Government is continuing to engage with businesses to ensure the smooth flow of goods across the internal market.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Department for Economy on Northern Ireland growth deals.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The UK Government is investing £617m through the four City and Growth Deals which cover the whole of Northern Ireland.

My officials meet regularly with their counterparts from the Northern Ireland Departments of Economy and Finance to discuss delivery of the four Northern Ireland growth deals and to maximise the use of this funding for the long-term economic growth of Northern Ireland.

I have met with a range of stakeholders and delivery partners, including the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Minister of Finance to discuss the City and Growth Deals. I was delighted to recently sign the Mid South West Growth Deal’s Heads of Terms Document in Cookstown. The signing was a fantastic culmination of the collective efforts of the local councils involved and a demonstration of what can be achieved when we work together.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether Ministers in his Department have met with representatives of the alcohol industry since July 2024.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he expects the independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane to begin sitting.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Inquiries Act 2005 sets out clear steps to follow in setting up an inquiry, including the appointment of the Chair, agreement on the Terms of Reference, working through the necessary logistics such as facilities and services procurement, and setting up the Inquiry secretariat. I am keen that the Inquiry is able to begin its work without undue delay.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will hold further discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on tackling violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

This Government is committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade, through a joined up approach across the UK. We have discussed this issue with the First and deputy First Minister, and with a range of civil society organisations working to tackle violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. We will continue to work collaboratively with the Executive, as they implement the new Northern Ireland Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he received legal advice on the European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I refer the Honourable Member to the reply I provided to the question he previously tabled on this subject and published on 17 December 2024 (UIN 18801).

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office has not incurred any spend on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers since 5 July 2024.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2024 to Question 9824 on Northern Ireland Office: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office has not spent any money on new furniture and fittings, or other refurbishment of Ministerial offices between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding they have provided to An Ciste Infheistiochta Gaeilge, the Irish Language Investment Fund, in each year since it was established.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Irish Language Investment Fund, An Ciste Infheistíochta Gaeilge, was established by a grant-in-aid of £8 million from the Government in 2010 in connection to the Hillsborough Castle Agreement.

In 2020, the Government announced the provision of an additional £4 million in capital funding to An Ciste as part of the commitments in relation to Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances that were agreed in the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

The Block Grant Transparency publication, which sets out changes to devolved government funding from the 2015 Spending Review onwards in detail, will shortly be updated with changes made at Autumn Budget 2024.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will deliver the £250 million of legacy funding that they had allocated in the Stormont House Agreement 2014 and New Decade, New Approach 2020 in full.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland set out in his statement in the House of Commons on 4 December, this Government is committed to addressing the legacy of the Troubles so that society in Northern Ireland can heal from the terrible wounds of the past and look to a better future. This commitment includes delivering on the funding agreed with HM Treasury for the legacy programme, with a total envelope of £250 million. This funding derived from £150 million allocated to implement the Stormont House Agreement and £100 million allocated through the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 27 November (HL Deb cols 681–2), when the Minister will answer the question on the schedule for publishing papers set out in Annex B of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper (CP 1021).

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This Government is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market. We are currently considering the best way to take forward the approach referred to in Annex B of the Safeguarding the Union command paper.

Submit Evidence (by 20 Jan 2025)

Send us your views: Proposal for a Draft Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2024.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have provided funds to support trainee schemes operated by the Irish Language Broadcast Fund; if so, what trainee schemes are being operated; and how many people have received training through those schemes.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Irish Language Broadcast Fund was set up in 2004/5 with funding provided to Northern Ireland Screen from the UK Government via the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Since 2011/12, Northern Ireland Screen has received UK Government funding via the British Film Institute.

The Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund was set up in 2011/12 and also receives UK Government funding via the British Film Institute.

The table below sets out the amount of money allocated to both funds since they were established.

Figures for 2004/05 to 2010/11 have been provided by Northern Ireland Screen. Figures for 2011/12 onwards are set out in the British Film Institute’s annual reports and accounts.

As part of the allocations set out above, in May 2021 the Northern Ireland Office announced an extra £2 million in funding to mark the fulfillment of a UK Government commitment in the New Decade, New Approach agreement that was agreed in January 2020 and saw the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive. The extra funding was provided through DCMS and the British Film Institute and was split equally between both funds.

The 2023/24 and 2024/25 figures for Northern Ireland Screen’s funding for the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund will be published via the British Film Institute’s annual report and accounts. The British Film Institute’s 2023/24 annual report and accounts will be published in due course.

The Irish Language Broadcast Fund offers several training opportunities for Irish speakers working or aspiring to work in the independent production sector in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Screen is responsible for the allocation of funding to such schemes, and how they are operated.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much money they have allocated to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund in each year since each of these funds was established.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Irish Language Broadcast Fund was set up in 2004/5 with funding provided to Northern Ireland Screen from the UK Government via the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Since 2011/12, Northern Ireland Screen has received UK Government funding via the British Film Institute.

The Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund was set up in 2011/12 and also receives UK Government funding via the British Film Institute.

The table below sets out the amount of money allocated to both funds since they were established.

Figures for 2004/05 to 2010/11 have been provided by Northern Ireland Screen. Figures for 2011/12 onwards are set out in the British Film Institute’s annual reports and accounts.

As part of the allocations set out above, in May 2021 the Northern Ireland Office announced an extra £2 million in funding to mark the fulfillment of a UK Government commitment in the New Decade, New Approach agreement that was agreed in January 2020 and saw the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive. The extra funding was provided through DCMS and the British Film Institute and was split equally between both funds.

The 2023/24 and 2024/25 figures for Northern Ireland Screen’s funding for the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund will be published via the British Film Institute’s annual report and accounts. The British Film Institute’s 2023/24 annual report and accounts will be published in due course.

The Irish Language Broadcast Fund offers several training opportunities for Irish speakers working or aspiring to work in the independent production sector in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Screen is responsible for the allocation of funding to such schemes, and how they are operated.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 13 November (HC10698), which specific Minister has been allocated each individual official residence; and what criteria the Prime Minister used to decide which Minister would receive an official residence.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

As has been the case under successive administrations, the Prime Minister allocates official residences to ministers, either on the grounds of security or to allow them to better perform their official duties. The following official residences are formally allocated to ministers:

The flats above 10 and 11 Downing Street, are allocated to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister respectively.

1 Carlton Gardens is allocated to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

The Chequers and Dorneywood estates are owned by trusts and managed by trustees; these are allocated to the Prime Minister and Chancellor respectively.

The Chevening estate is also owned by a trust and managed by trustees. The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs is the nominated person for the use of the estate.

Hillsborough Castle is available for Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office while on duty in Northern Ireland.

One of the flats in Admiralty House is allocated to the Deputy Prime Minister. The previous time limited allocation, referred to in Answer of 23 October 2024 to Question 10698 has come to an end.

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