Oral Answers to Questions

Tom Randall Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

What assessment he has made of the timescale for the implementation of the pension scheme payments for victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

[Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con)]

What assessment he has made of progress on implementing the payment scheme for victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

What assessment he has made of progress on implementing the payment scheme for victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Brandon Lewis]

My right hon. Friend makes a good point. He was intrinsically involved in driving forward this issue. Words fail me: it should never have taken this long to get to this stage and it should never have taken a court case. My right hon. Friend is quite right that the Northern Ireland Executive are funded for the scheme through the block grant, and he is also quite right that this is about recognising people who have suffered for far too long. He and at least four of the party leaders in Northern Ireland were keen to see this scheme move forward; thankfully, that will now happen—and yes, I will give all the support that I can and that the Northern Ireland Executive need to see the scheme deliver as quickly as possible.

[Tom Randall]

I, too, welcome the news that the Department of Justice has been designated to implement the victims’ payment scheme, but does my right hon. Friend share my disappointment that it took a court to tell Sinn Féin to stop playing politics and finally designate the Department?

[Brandon Lewis]

My hon. Friend is right. I have consistently expressed my disappointment—to say the least—at the lack of progress in establishing the scheme, as have the First Minister and others. It was wrong for Sinn Féin to hold up the process of designating the Department. I am pleased that it has now happened, but it is a shame that it took a court case.