Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many times has she stayed overnight in Northern Ireland in the last year.
Answered by Karen Bradley
Since I became Secretary of State in January 2018 I have made over 30 overnight stays in Northern Ireland. In addition, I have made 12 overseas visits in my capacity as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made on signing off the bid to host the Commonwealth Youth Games in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Karen Bradley
On Friday 22nd June, the Commonwealth Games Federation Executive Board resolved to begin discussions and invite expressions of interest from other Commonwealth cities who wish to build on the successes of Samoa 2015 and Bahamas 2017 and host the 2021 edition of the Youth Games.
I share the disappointment that Commonwealth Youth Games will not take place in Belfast in 2021, although the Federation have indicated that Belfast will be able to re-submit its candidature for 2021, or consider another candidature in the future; this is why we need to secure a restoration of the devolved institutions. The UK Government remains focused on restoring a democratically accountable devolved government, so that locally accountable politicians can make decisions on behalf of the public they represent.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether Charlie Caulfield received a letter of comfort.
Answered by James Brokenshire
In September 2014, the Government set out its position in relation to the ‘on the runs’ administrative scheme fully in a statement to the House of Commons. In the statement, the Government was clear that the scheme was at an end and that there was no basis for any reliance on letters received by so-called “On The Runs” under the scheme that was introduced by the previous Labour Government.
I have said on a number of occasions there is no amnesty, immunity or exemption from prosecution. This was confirmed by Lady Justice Hallett in her review of the scheme published in July 2014. This Government’s position is very clear. Those who received letters under the scheme should be in no doubt: if there is considered to be sufficient evidence of their involvement in any crime, they will be investigated by the police and prosecuting authorities.
This Government’s position with regards to publishing the names of individuals in receipt of letters under the OTR scheme is unchanged. We do not consider it appropriate to publish the names for a number of reasons including because it could jeopardise future prosecutions or increase the risk of an abuse of process argument being successfully run.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what representations he has received on whether the Hyde Park justice campaign should receive Legal Aid.
Answered by James Brokenshire
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to all the families who lost loved ones in this appalling terrorist crime, for which there could be never be any justification. I would also like to reiterate this Government’s admiration for members of the Armed Forces, who served in Northern Ireland to uphold democracy and the rule of law.
I have received a number of representations about the Hyde Park bombing in 1982, and have been copied into correspondence from the families’ legal representatives to the Prime Minister. I am aware that in May 2016 my predecessor met members of the families and their legal representatives.
Decisions on the granting of Legal Aid are made independently of Ministers by the Legal Aid Agency. I fully understand, however, the families’ desire to see justice in this case.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in relation to Mr Donal Donnelly in 1985 was published in the Belfast and London Gazettes; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
There are no statutory requirements relating to the publication of pardons granted under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy and I am not aware of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in relation to Mr Donal Donnelly being published in the Belfast or London gazettes.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the report of the Hallett Review, how in the absence of the lost records a beneficiary of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy prior to 1997 is able to demonstrate the grant of the exercise of the Royal Prerogative; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
The Hallett Review drew attention to issues regarding record-keeping about the RPM, which the Northern Ireland Office is addressing. The Hallett Review did not deal with the exercise of the RPM prior to 1997 but only touches upon it in passing. During the pre-1998 period the use of RPM was relatively common: it was not recorded centrally and records are likely to have been destroyed in accordance with proper protocols. Where the RPM was used prior to 1997 to remit (i.e. shorten) the sentences of individuals who had already been convicted of offences, their release from custody can, on occasion, provide some evidence of the exercise of the RPM. In addition, there may in some cases, be contemporaneous correspondence which provides evidence of the exercise of the RPM.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to paragraph 2.58 of the report of the Hallett Review, whether the individual x has been prosecuted; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
The decision whether or not to prosecute an individual is a matter for the independent prosecuting authorities.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy has been granted in Northern Ireland in the last 20 years by means of Letters Close (Litterae Clausae); and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
Since 1997, no Letters Patent or Letters Close have been issued in Northern Ireland in relation to the Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM). Where the RPM was used in this period by the previous Government, it was effected by means of a Royal Warrant.
As the Hon Member is aware, my department continues to seek information on the use of the RPM between 1987 and 1997, including through contacts with other parts of Government which might hold relevant information. On the basis of the work carried out on this so far, there is no indication that Letters Patent or Letters Close were issued between 1987 and 1997 in relation to the use of the RPM in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Answer of 1 May 2014, Official Report, column 762W, on terrorism, if the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy to which she refers was by way of Letters Patent; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
Since 1997, no Letters Patent or Letters Close have been issued in Northern Ireland in relation to the Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM). Where the RPM was used in this period by the previous Government, it was effected by means of a Royal Warrant.
As the Hon Member is aware, my department continues to seek information on the use of the RPM between 1987 and 1997, including through contacts with other parts of Government which might hold relevant information. On the basis of the work carried out on this so far, there is no indication that Letters Patent or Letters Close were issued between 1987 and 1997 in relation to the use of the RPM in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the people who are known to have received the Royal Prerogative of Mercy by Letters Patent or under any other authority, in the last 20 years; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
Since 1997, no Letters Patent have been issued in Northern Ireland in relation to the Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM). Where the RPM was used in this period by the previous Government, it was effected by means of a Royal Warrant.
As the Hon Member is aware, my department continues to seek information on the use of the RPM between 1987 and 1997, including through contacts with other parts of Government which might hold relevant information.
As the Hon Member is also aware, the assessment of my department is that to release the names of individuals granted the RPM years ago would not be appropriate, given the time that has passed since the RPM was last used and the potential legal issues this would raise. There are of course means by which names of RPM recipients become public, including in the course of legal proceedings, which is a matter for the courts.