Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will legislate to provide a pension for severely injured victims of The Troubles in Northern Ireland represented by the Wave Trauma Action Group.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
This is an important issue which the UK Government takes seriously. We received advice from the Victims Commissioner on Friday 31 May 2019 - the completion of this advice represents an important step forward. We are carefully considering that advice and possible next steps, which we aim to set out shortly.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 5 March (HL13923), whether the remarks by that Minister on 30 October 2018 (HL Deb, col 1311) about the early provision of pensions for those who were severely physically injured in the Northern Ireland Troubles still stand, namely "That is not to put it into the long grass or put it away, but to recognise that it must be progressed" and "We will guarantee within six months. So, yes, we will be able to do it within six months and I hope that that will therefore give some comfort to noble Lords that we take this matter with the utmost seriousness and we will move it forward"; and from when the guarantee of “within six months” will apply.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Noble Lord will recall that this answer was given in response to questions from Baroness O’Loan and Lord Cormack about how long the Victims Commissioner would take to produce her advice. The Victims Commissioner has indicated that she is on track to give us full advice by the end of March. As I have previously stated, the scope of that advice includes “a proposal for, or options for, the type of pension which should be provided including consideration of a two-phased approach to delivery with a physical injury pension being rolled out first followed by psychological (and any risks of this approach)”. As the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has indicated, the UK Government’s priority in Northern Ireland continues to be the restoration of the NI Executive. If, despite best efforts, the NI Executive has not been restored by the time updated advice on a pension has been provided by the Victims Commissioner, the Northern Ireland Office will consider how this matter can be progressed in the absence of NI Executive Ministers.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 18 February (HL13507), whether both the remarks by that Minister on 27 March 2018 (HL Deb, cols 730–761), and private assurances he gave to Lord Hain that same day about the early provision of pensions for those who were severely physically injured in the Northern Ireland Troubles, still stand.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has commissioned advice on a victims’ pension from the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland. The scope of that advice includes “a proposal for, or options for, the type of pension which should be provided including consideration of a two-phased approach to delivery with a physical injury pension being rolled out first followed by psychological (and any risks of this approach)”. As the Secretary of State has indicated, the UK Government’s priority in Northern Ireland continues to be the restoration of the NI Executive. If, despite best efforts, the NI Executive has not been restored by the time updated advice on a pension has been provided by the Victims Commissioner, the Northern Ireland Office will consider this.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 27 March 2018 (HL Deb, cols 730–761), when they intend to act on the assurances given in those remarks about the provision of pensions for those who were severely physically injured in the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
Work towards bringing forward a victims’ pension is a devolved matter and one of the many reasons why it is so important to have an Executive restored. The Government is aware of how deeply upsetting and frustrating this delay is for those who suffered so much during the Troubles. This is a very complex issue which requires careful consideration, as the Noble Lord will appreciate from his time as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. That is why the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has commissioned advice from the Victims Commissioner in Northern Ireland to ensure progress on this important issue. I am grateful to the Noble Lord for our continuing discussions about this matter.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received a report from the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland about the provision of pensions for those who were severely physically injured in the Northern Ireland Troubles; and if so, what steps they intend to take in regard to that issue.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has commissioned advice on a victims’ pension from the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland. We have received some initial advice and look forward to receiving further advice in the near future, following which we will set out next steps.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with authorities in Northern Ireland about the number of people who have been prosecuted and convicted as a result of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Historical Enquiries Team.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and officials meet and discuss regularly with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on a variety of issues of mutual concern and interest.
Operational matters relating to the Historical Enquiries Team are the responsibility of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.