Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many of the ongoing prosecutions against members or former members of paramilitary organisations concern (1) dissident republican groups, (2) the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and (3) the Irish National Liberation Army.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.
While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.
Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category. The Government does not hold information regarding the specific paramilitary organisations involved in each case.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions in relation to activities in Northern Ireland are outstanding of (1) former members of the Armed Forces, and (2) former members of (a) loyalist and (b) republican paramilitary organisations.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.
While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.
Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category, one in the loyalist category, one in the former police category and one in the military category.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions there have been in relation to activities in Northern Ireland of (1) soldiers, (2) former soldiers, and (3) members of (a) loyalist and (b) republican paramilitary organisations, in each year since 1998.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.
This is a matter for the devolved and independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland. The Government, therefore, does not hold the specific information that has been requested.
We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 decisions on whether to prosecute were taken in relation to Troubles-related cases. Of these 68, there were 25 decisions to prosecute; 13 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the republican category, 6 within the loyalist category, and 6 within the military category.
Where decisions have been taken to prosecute, there have been 6 convictions; 3 in the republican category, two in the loyalist category, and 1 in the military category, with that individual being given a suspended sentence.
We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent comments of the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission regarding the employment of former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary at the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is independent of Government and has a statutory duty to ensure government and other public bodies protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met the Chief Commissioner to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s approach to legacy reform.
The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is operationally independent from Government, and its recruitment processes are a matter for it to determine within the statutory framework.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission retains the full confidence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the light of her recent comments about the employment of former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary at the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is operationally independent from Government. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met the Chief Commissioner to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s approach to legacy reform.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the total expenditure on air travel since 5 July 2024 between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for: (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; (2) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and (3) Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Since 5 July 2024, the total cost of expenditure on air travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is £17,972.56, for the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State it is £12,483.01. My total air travel expenditure is £817.27.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the total expenditure on overseas visits since 5 July 2024 by each of (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, (2) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and (3) Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Since 5 July 2024, the Department has incurred expenditure of £9,728.99 for overseas travel undertaken by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. A total expenditure of £4,968.33 has been incurred for overseas travel undertaken by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. No such expenditure has been incurred for myself.
Data on ministers’ overseas travel and on senior civil servants’ business expenses is published on a quarterly basis.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government on how many occasions each of the following has stayed overnight in Northern Ireland since 5 July 2024: (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; (2) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and (3) Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Since 5 July 2024, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State have travelled regularly across Northern Ireland to undertake official business.
The Secretary of State has travelled to Northern Ireland 42 times since 5 July 2024. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State has travelled to Northern Ireland 34 times, and I have travelled to Northern Ireland three times.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many officials and special advisers travelled with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during his visit to the United States of America for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in March; and what were the associated costs, including flights and accommodation.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland travelled to Washington accompanied by two special advisors and three officials.
Data on ministers’ overseas travel and on senior civil servants’ business expenses is published on a quarterly basis. The latest publication can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nio-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-july-to-september-2024.
Information for the period January to May 2025 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nio-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-january-to-march-2025.
Asked by: Lord Caine (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions took place, if any, between the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and representatives of the Finucane family regarding the appointment of the two assessors to the Patrick Finucane Inquiry; whether the family's consent was sought; and whether it was granted.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Under the Inquiries Act, the power to establish a statutory independent inquiry and the constitution of the inquiry lie with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
In the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement of 13 June, he set out that he had appointed Baroness O’Loan and Francesca Del Mese as Assessors to the Patrick Finucane Inquiry under section 11 of the Inquiries Act 2005 in accordance with the established appointments process. The Secretary of State then informed the Finucane family in the week of the announcement in line with customary practice. Their role is to provide expert advice to the Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom who has been appointed as Chair of the Inquiry under section 1 of the Act. I remain confident that these appointments have the relevant knowledge, experience and professionalism the Inquiry requires.