Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the matters discussed at the conference A more confident and inclusive Northern Ireland, hosted by Wilton Park from 22 to 24 June in association with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Northern Ireland Office.
Answered by Lord Caine - Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
The Wilton Park conference provided an opportunity for participants to discuss and explore how to create a more confident and inclusive Northern Ireland.
Participants discussed a range of themes including education, skills, opportunities for young people and how community groups can support opportunity and integration.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what individuals and organisations they invited to the conference A more confident and inclusive Northern Ireland, hosted by Wilton Park from 22 to 24 June; and if this did not include the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools or the Controlled Schools' Support Council, on what grounds they were omitted.
Answered by Lord Caine - Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
The Wilton Park conference considered a broad range of issues, including skills, education, economic opportunity, and social integration, rather than schools or educational matters alone.
Wilton Park conferences are held under the Chatham House Rule and it would not be appropriate for the Government to disclose those who participated.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have set the bar for immunity in the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill as only requiring a perpetrator to provide an account which is true to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Answered by Lord Caine - Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
The test for immunity, as set out in the Bill, requires an individual to make an application to the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) for immunity. The panel must then be satisfied that the individual has provided an account which is true to the best of their knowledge and belief, and which describes conduct which forms part of the Troubles.
In forming a view on whether an individual’s account is true to the best of their knowledge and belief, the ICRIR must take into account any relevant information that it holds or obtains as part of that investigation. That could include information that the ICRIR obtains from witnesses or from disclosure of information from statutory agencies during the course of its investigation.
Those who do not cooperate with the ICRIR will not be granted immunity, and will remain liable to prosecution should sufficient evidence exist, or come to light.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which crimes are eligible for the immunity process under the proposed provisions in the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.
Answered by Lord Caine - Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
Only serious or connected Troubles-related offences that took place between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998 and are related to a death or serious injury will be eligible for immunity - conditional on cooperation with the Independent Commission as set out in legislation.
Troubles-related offences that are not linked to a death or serious injury will not be investigated by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), and so will not be subject to immunity provisions.
Any offences from between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998 which are not Troubles-related could still be investigated by PSNI, or GB police forces.