Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether armed forces personnel engaged in ongoing counterterrorist operations in Northern Ireland are eligible to receive the new Wider Service Medal; and if not, why.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Shadow Minister (Defence)

The Wider Service Medal will be retrospective to 11 December 2018, and a small number of operations have already been considered and confirmed as eligible for the medal. Other operational activity that could be within scope for the medal will be considered over the coming months and this might include operational activity in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers entered Northern Ireland from Great Britain in (1) 2020, (2) 2021, (3) 2022, (4) 2023, and (5) 2024.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office does not publish data on the number of asylum seekers that have entered Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

The Home Office does publish data on asylum seekers in receipt of support as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’ on gov.uk. As at 31 December 2023, there were 2,839 people in receipt of asylum support in Northern Ireland. Please note that asylum seekers are accommodated in Northern Ireland only if they apply for asylum there.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they received legal advice from the Attorney General prior to the Illegal Migration Act 2023 receiving Royal Assent which indicated that parts of the legislation would not apply in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government receives legal advice as appropriate, on all matters related to the passage of new legislation, as part of advice from officials.

Any legal advice received is subject to legal professional privilege and, as such, the Home Office does not comment on legal advice that may or may not have been sought or received.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether Armed Forces personnel engaged in military operations in Northern Ireland will be eligible to receive the Wider Service Medal; and if not, why.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A small number of operations have already been considered and confirmed as eligible for the Wider Service Medal. Work is ongoing to consider the eligibility of a large number of other operations, which is likely to include operational activity in Northern Ireland. This is expected to be completed by autumn 2024 when the details of all operations that have been approved for the medal will be published.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with Harland and Wolff to provide the company with a UK Export Finance Guarantee; and when they expect a final decision to be made.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)

I am unable to comment on ongoing transactions for reasons of commercial sensitivity.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the regeneration funds of £20 million each for Londonderry and Coleraine, announced on 6 March, will be released.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government has inherited an extremely difficult fiscal environment and has a responsibility to fix the foundations of our economy, to ensure economic stability.

The department will set out further details on next steps and confirmation of the revised timelines in due course.

Found: Letter dated 01/08/2024 from Lord Khan of Burnley to Lord Rogan regarding issues raised during the King's

Found: I am copying this letter to Lord German, Lord Coaker, The Lord Bishop of St Albans, Lord Rogan, Lord