Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 22 July (HL9221), what was the overall cost to date of implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework, including the individual capital costs of constructing inspection centres at ports in Northern Ireland; and what were the costs of operating those centres.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In accordance with the Statement of Funding Policy on funding the devolved Governments (copy attached), the Government maintains its commitment to fund direct costs associated with reaching the required level of compliance to implement obligations under the Windsor Framework. A full breakdown of devolved funding can be found in Block Grant Transparency, the next update to which will be published in due course.

The Government has committed to a maximum funding allocation of £192.3 million for all the facilities at the four ports. Of this allocation, Defra has spent £111.3 million up to 30 June 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the costs to date of implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

In accordance with the Statement of Funding Policy on funding the devolved governments, the Government maintains its commitment to fund direct costs associated with reaching the required level of compliance to implement obligations under the Windsor Framework. A full breakdown of devolved funding can be found in Block Grant Transparency, the next update to which will be published in due course.

The Government will continue to provide a range of support to businesses and traders to facilitate the smooth flow of goods, reflecting our commitment to both the Windsor Framework and the UK internal market.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many Northern Ireland Troubles legacy inquests have taken place into (1) killings of security force members, (2) killings of known terrorists, and (3) killings of civilians; and what are the names of each of those inquests.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Legacy Inquests are a matter of public record and are available on the Judiciary NI website.

The conduct of inquests in Northern Ireland is devolved and, as records of any pre-devolution inquests would have been transferred to the Northern Ireland Department of Justice (DOJ), requests for information on these matters should be directed to the DOJ.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what involvement or role is planned for the government of Ireland within any Troubles legacy institutions in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government considers the Irish Government to be an essential partner in addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past. On Friday 19 September 2025, the two governments published a high-level framework document outlining all key areas on which they have reached agreement, which includes meaningful and tangible commitments by the Irish Government and UK Government respectively.

The Framework is enclosed.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what further legacy inquests they plan to instigate as part of the Northern Ireland Troubles legacy.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As I set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 19 September 2025, the UK and Irish governments have published a framework document outlining the main areas on which the two governments have reached agreement on Legacy. The Government will fulfil its commitment to restore those inquests that were halted by the Legacy Act. The remainder will be considered in a sifting process by the Solicitor General. Our approach reflects the importance of inquests to many families, but also the significant role that a fully reformed Commission with more powers will play in achieving outcomes for families, particularly in cases containing sensitive information.