Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she plans to table legislative proposals to implement payments to victims of historical and institutional abuse in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made it very clear that she is determined to see redress for victims of historical institutional abuse as soon as possible. The UK Government has made clear that legislation will be introduced at Westminster by the end of the year, should a restored NI Executive not be in place.

Currently, officials in the Northern Ireland Executive Office are working with the Northern Ireland Office of the Legislative Counsel to redraft the legislation for a redress scheme in line with the NI parties’ recommendations.

When the legislation has been revised and received, the Secretary of State will consider the best way forward and the next steps as a matter of urgency.