Stormont House Agreement

Debate between Baroness Garden of Frognal and Baroness O'Loan

Wednesday 7th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness O'Loan]

My Lords, the Minister gestured to me.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Could your Lordships keep their remarks short? There will be time for everybody. I indeed gestured in that direction and apologise if that was the wrong thing to do.

[Baroness O'Loan]

My Lords, thank you. I have four simple questions.

First, a number of cases are currently excluded under the Stormont House agreement from the work of the historical investigations unit. Those cases were previously investigated by the historic inquiries team. However, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has said that many of these investigations were most unsatisfactory. Can the British Government ensure that they will not be embarrassed in future because our Article 2 obligations are not being complied with?

Secondly, can the British Government and the Minister assure us that the Government will ensure that the historical investigations unit has access to all intelligence and information, particularly that held in this part of the United Kingdom by the security services, the Armed Forces and GCHQ?

Thirdly, what actions will the Government take to ensure that the historical investigations unit has the full legal powers that it needs?

Fourthly, does the £150 million have to provide for victims, or will they be provided for separately? On the matter of trauma services there is a massive unmet need in Northern Ireland: that is a costly and lengthy process.