Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
My Lords, with Stormont up and running, how finances are allocated and spent is a matter for it. That includes the PSNI budget. The noble Baroness will be aware that at the spending review we increased additional security funding for the PSNI for this financial year by £37.8 million. She will be further aware there are ongoing conversations between the NIO and the Northern Ireland Executive about how we can keep working together, but part of this is a question for the Northern Ireland Executive.
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)
My Lords, I support the question from the noble Baroness, Lady O’Loan, and point out to the Minister that there are national security issues that remain the purview of our national Government in dealing with funding. I congratulate the Minister on the many strings to her bow this afternoon. Despite desperate attempts to rewrite the history of Northern Ireland during what were euphemistically called “the Troubles”, I know that she will agree that Northern Ireland society did not break down during that campaign of criminality—not a war—and because of that, the line was held by our security forces and services, and I am proud to be a daughter of the RUC. Given all that, can she give us an update on the stage that the Ministry of Defence is at with the Clonoe inquest review? I understand that the Ministry of Defence was to take judicial review proceedings—could she give us an update on that?
Clonoe Inquest
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee(3 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)
My Lords, many right-thinking people in Northern Ireland and across the UK see this judgment as perverse, irrational and wholly unreasonable. Will the Minister communicate that to the Ministry of Defence and urge it to judicially review this decision?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for her question. I talked about the victims of the Troubles; I appreciate that she has also had an anniversary in recent days. I will make sure that the appropriate officials and Ministers in the MoD reflect on the words spoken in this Chamber.
Northern Ireland
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee(6 months, 1 week ago)
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Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I am not sure that is a matter for the Government; rather, it is one for the Labour Party. I am more than happy to have a discussion with the noble Baroness outside the House.
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)
My Lords, I refer to my interests in the register and, in particular, my chairmanship of InterTrade UK. The Acts of Union in 1801 were mostly predicated on trade, which is so important for Northern Ireland and, indeed, the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. Does the noble Baroness therefore share my concern that some small businesses in GB are already saying that they are not going to trade with Northern Ireland because of the EU product safety regulations?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I look forward to working in the coming months and years with the noble Baroness in her role as chair of InterTrade UK. The updated general product safety regulation largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK. The Department for Business and Trade has been working closely with businesses to help them get ready, and will shortly publish more guidance to support them further. This Government—and I—will keep a close eye on this going forward and continue to help businesses trade freely across the whole United Kingdom.
UK-Scottish Government Relations
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
We are re-establishing the scheme, and data is currently being compiled. I will have to get back to the noble Earl on whether it has reverted to the Cabinet Office.
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)
My Lords, quite a few intergovernmental units have been set up recently. The Minister will of course be aware of the east-west council, which was set up under the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper earlier this year. One of those meetings has taken place. Do the Government value the east-west council and the bringing together of the devolved Administrations with Westminster? If so, how frequently will the east-west council meet?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for her question. She will be aware that we have a future Question on Safeguarding the Union, and that is when we will give a formal update. Of course we celebrate bringing together all the people who run the nations and regions of the United Kingdom—that is why the Council of the Nations and Regions was convened. It held its first meeting in Scotland, and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland were present, as were the mayors and those who lead combined authorities. It is devolution in action, with everyone responsible for delivering for the people of the United Kingdom coming together to make sure that it works. I will get back to the noble Baroness about when the next meeting of the east-west council will follow.