Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of inquests into deaths to the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland that will not have been completed by 1 May.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 requires Troubles-related inquests to conclude by 1 May 2024. The legislation provides a limited carve out for any Troubles-related inquests where the hearing of all evidence has finished and where the only matter still to come is the delivery of the inquest’s findings.
The Act contains provisions allowing a coroner to request a review of a death by the ICRIR, led by Sir Declan Morgan as Chief Commissioner, if the inquest has not been concluded via the coronial process by 1 May 2024. Close family members, as well as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Attorney General for Northern Ireland and the Advocate General for Northern Ireland, can also request a review of a death by the ICRIR.
The case management of inquests is a matter for coroners.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many inquests into deaths to the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland are still to be completed.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
At this time, 37 Troubles-related inquests have not been completed:
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the payment scheme set up under the Victims' Payments Regulations 2020 will be implemented in line with the statutory commitments passed by Parliament for compensatory payments to those severely injured through no fault of their own.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Responsibility for delivering the Victims’ Payment Scheme rests with the Northern Ireland Executive. NIO officials have been and continue to be available to provide appropriate support, including through a range of detailed discussions which have taken place to date.
The UK Government is fully committed to supporting the Northern Ireland Civil Service in delivering this important piece of work.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that Part 5(23)(2) of the Victims' Payments Regulations 2020 is implemented, and victims' payments are made as soon as reasonably practicable from May 2020.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for the successful delivery of the Victims’ Payment Scheme, including the timely provision of victims’ payments to eligible applicants once the scheme is up and running.
Following the establishment of the legal framework for the scheme in January, NIO officials have continued to be available to provide support to the Northern Ireland Civil Service when needed in their delivery of the scheme.
Details about the scheme and how to apply will be clearly communicated in advance of the scheme opening for applications.
Asked by: Lord Hain (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) people living in Northern Ireland will be able to access blood transfusions, health treatment and educational provision in the Republic of Ireland, and (2) people living in the Republic of Ireland will be able to access blood transfusions, health treatment and educational provision in Northern Ireland, after December 2020.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government has been clear in its commitment to uphold the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its parts, including formal North-South cooperation. Health and education are two of the areas of cooperation.
In accordance with the 8 May 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Irish Governments, the reciprocal rights for British and Irish citizens associated with the Common Travel Area will continue after December 2020. These arrangements include access to healthcare services and education.
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.