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Written Question
Armed Forces: Civil Proceedings
Thursday 14th March 2024

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what further action they plan to take to protect members of the security forces from vexatious court proceedings.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government brought in The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021, which reduces the uncertainty faced by our Service personnel and veterans in relation to historical allegations and claims arising from overseas operations. This legislation provides a better legal framework for dealing with allegations or claims from any future overseas conflicts. The Government is committed to ensuring our Service personnel and veterans have access to the legal protections they deserve.

We are acutely aware of the individual human impact that historical investigations can place on those affected by them, and we are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all Service personnel.


Written Question
UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland
Thursday 14th March 2024

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, given UK internal market requirements, the EU still has any control of trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland through Regulations 2023/1231 and 2023/1128.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The EU does not have control over the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The operation of the UK internal market system is the responsibility of UK competent authorities.

The Government has guaranteed the smooth flow of these and other goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland through the new UK internal market system, which complements the Windsor Framework and its associated legislation. Taken together, these will protect historic trade flows and reduce burdens and formalities on businesses seeking to trade across the UK, backed by a UK internal market guarantee and independent scrutiny.


Written Question
UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland
Thursday 14th March 2024

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Irish sea border has been removed.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

By any sensible comparison with any other trade border in the world, there is no sense of a trade border for goods moving within the UK internal market. The smooth flow of goods within the UK internal market is secured and strengthened through our commitments in the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper.


Written Question
VAT: Northern Ireland
Thursday 14th March 2024

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have sole responsibility for regulating Northern Ireland VAT or whether the EU has any authority relating to VAT matters in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The arrangements in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework guarantee Northern Ireland’s position within the UK’s VAT area. The freedoms secured under the Windsor Framework have already delivered benefits for NI people and businesses, including the application of zero rates on the installation of energy-saving materials and the UK-wide application of the changes agreed at Autumn Statement 2023, such as the removal of VAT on period underwear. All the VAT and excise measures announced at Spring Budget 2024 apply UK-wide.


Written Question
Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023
Thursday 7th March 2024

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the judgment of the High Court in Northern Ireland on 28 February, whether they will proceed with implementation of the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We remain committed to implementing the Legacy Act and delivering the ICRIR to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors of the Troubles by giving them more information about what happened to their loved ones.


The Government has considered all aspects of the judgment, including those in relation to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework. The Government has considered all aspects of the judgment, and is applying for an appeal with the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.


Division Vote (Lords)
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (DUP) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 3 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 0 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 228 Noes - 184
Division Vote (Lords)
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (DUP) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 4 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes vs 0 Democratic Unionist Party No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 244 Noes - 160
Division Vote (Lords)
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (DUP) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 1 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 0 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 265 Noes - 181
Division Vote (Lords)
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (DUP) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 4 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes vs 0 Democratic Unionist Party No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 246 Noes - 171
Written Question
Northern Ireland Government
Tuesday 5th March 2024

Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make cross-community consent mandatory in all Stormont decisions.

Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The principle of cross-community consent applies to matters for which the Northern Ireland Assembly is responsible. Trade is not one of those matters. This approach is entirely compatible with the Belfast Agreement.

We remain fully committed to the Agreement which ensures that the future of Northern Ireland is decided by the democratically expressed wishes of the people of Northern Ireland and reaffirms our commitment to the principle of consent.