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Victims of the Troubles: Payment Scheme
04 June 2020
Lead MP
Robin Walker
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Northern Ireland
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Robin Walker raised concerns about victims of the troubles: payment scheme in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Secretary of State apologised for his absence and stated that the Government is committed to establishing a Troubles victims payment scheme. The scheme was agreed upon last summer with cross-party support, aimed at acknowledging and providing financial assistance to those injured during the troubles. Regulations were established in January 2023 following public consultation. Despite Sinn Féin's desire to reopen criteria for eligibility, it is imperative that political parties enable the scheme's implementation. Funding is not an issue; rather, a Northern Ireland Executive Department must be designated to support the Victims' Payments Board. The Government has engaged with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and remains committed to seeing this matter progress.
Louise Haigh
Lab
Sheffield Heeley
Question
The First Minister has suggested that funding issues are preventing progress. Can you confirm what funding is currently in place and whose responsibility it is to issue guidance? Also, can you clarify the permissive nature of regulations regarding controversial cases?
Minister reply
Funding for implementation is not an issue; designation by a Northern Ireland Executive Department is necessary. The Secretary of State stands ready to engage on issuing draft guidance once a department is designated. Regulations provide significant scope for individual case consideration, and discussions with the Lord Chief Justice ensure confidence in swift judicial board establishment.
Louise Haigh
Lab
Sheffield Heeley
Question
The MP acknowledges the Minister’s work but expresses concern over delays in implementing the Victims’ Payment Scheme, citing specific examples of victims who have waited long for support. She asks about funding within the Executive and guidance issuance, also emphasising the importance of individual case consideration by judicial panels.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms that funding is not an issue as it comes from the block grant allocated to Northern Ireland. He emphasises that this is a devolved matter and urges the Executive to designate a department to implement the scheme urgently.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
The MP commends progress on victims’ compensation but asks about tax revenue from transactions involving Gaddafi-related frozen assets, suggesting it is morally questionable for the Treasury to benefit while Northern Ireland’s victims are short-changed.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the moral concern and notes that William Shawcross's report will inform the Government's approach. He refers the detailed question to the Foreign Office.
Bob Stewart
Con
Question
The MP congratulates the Minister on progress with victims’ compensation but asks about applying similar vigour to veterans facing vexatious claims in Northern Ireland.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that legacy proposals must ensure certainty for both victims and veterans, avoiding vexatious claims while providing proper support.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Question
Welcomes hon. Friend Louise Haigh to her new role and pays tribute to Tony Lloyd for his work on this issue. Asks the Minister when we can expect to see the scheme opened, given that it sounds like an excuse to hold up justice.
Minister reply
Corrects the hon. Gentleman's assumption, clarifies there is no technical reason to delay and emphasises the need for the Executive to designate a Department so that progress can be made.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Question
Pays tribute to Louise Haigh and Tony Lloyd, commends Ministers for their work but expresses frustration at delays caused by technicalities. Urges the Minister to prioritise victims.
Minister reply
Agrees with the need for progress and acknowledges the urgency of delivering compensation as soon as possible.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Expresses frustration at delays caused by Sinn Féin, highlights financial implications of expanded scheme, and questions whether there should be additional funding provided.
Minister reply
Welcomes the call for progress but clarifies that it is a devolved responsibility. Agrees to meet obligations as per agreements like New Decade, New Approach.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Asks if attempts include reclassifying individuals like Gerry Adams who had their convictions quashed.
Minister reply
Reiterates that the issue is settled and urges not to reopen it, stressing the need for forward progress.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Question
Acknowledges Naomi Long's position and her readiness to designate and administer the scheme. Questions if this controversy illustrates the need for a comprehensive approach.
Minister reply
Agrees that addressing legacy issues comprehensively is necessary and welcomes willingness from different parties.
Julian Smith
Con
Skipton and Ripon
Question
Expresses worry about victims' mental health, urges the Minister to press the Executive to start the scheme.
Minister reply
Shares his frustration and importance of moving forward for victims' sake.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Questions how he intends to operate the scheme regardless of Sinn Féin's machinations, emphasising protection from abuse.
Minister reply
Acknowledges ongoing efforts to address issues and remove blockages for prompt delivery.
Question
Suggests we should remember those injured during the troubles more frequently, highlighting their daily struggles.
Minister reply
Agrees that acknowledging these victims is crucial and supports getting the scheme active.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
Highlights suffering in her constituency due to terrorism, questions if he recognises enabling pension for UK-wide victims. Asks about costings and funding responsibilities.
Minister reply
Confirms legislation enables UK-wide coverage but acknowledges Northern Ireland's predominant involvement.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
Compliments the Government on their work, expresses hope that supporting all victims will enable community healing.
Minister reply
Agrees with the sentiment and reiterates the importance of delivering the scheme to communities.
Ian Paisley Jnr
Democrat
North Antrim
Question
I congratulate the shadow Secretary of State on getting this important matter on to the Floor of the House today. There was no Northern Ireland Government from 1972 until 1998. These victims were made during a period of extended direct rule, and these victims were made all across the United Kingdom. I welcome the letter today that the Minister has referred to: it blames Sinn Féin. For the first time, the Government have called Sinn Féin out on an issue. I welcome them doing that, but it would be completely incompatible with reality if—as I understand Mr Shawcross has recommended—payments were made to victims of Gaddafi-sponsored terrorism and yet our victims, who have a piece of legislation made in this place, cannot have money drawn down to them that they are completely entitled to. So I plead with the Minister to stop using Sinn Féin as an excuse now, break the logjam, push Sinn Féin out of the way and administer this money to victims all across the United Kingdom immediately.
Minister reply
As always, the hon. Gentleman makes his case very powerfully, but he will recognise that the Executive committed to delivering a scheme of this nature six years ago and received a generous financial contribution connected to New Decade, New Approach and other provisions. It has revenue-raising capabilities, and it must make funding available for this scheme, which everyone agrees should exist. As I said earlier, the Shawcross report is being analysed by my colleagues at the Foreign Office, and I cannot go into any detail on its contents at this stage. But we all agree that we want to move this forward, and we all agree that the money should be made available as quickly as possible. That money can be made available as soon as the designated Department is sorted.
Mark Harper
Con
Fittleworth
Question
In media interviews this morning, I think Sinn Fein seemed to accept that this is its responsibility, but tried to blame what it calls “discriminatory” rules. I have looked at the regulations, and the only thing that is ruled out in statute, as the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Louise Haigh) has suggested, is if you yourself were involved in committing the terrorist offence that led to you being injured, and I think everyone would accept that that is reasonable. All other cases of convictions are for a judicially appointed panel to decide. That probably goes further than many would like, but it is necessary, I suspect, for reconciliation purposes. Therefore, is it not right that Sinn Fein recognises that this is a balanced settlement and that it should get out of the way and facilitate payments to victims on both sides of the communities in Northern Ireland for everyone’s benefit?
Minister reply
Yes, my right hon. Friend is spot on, as he so often is. He is very much echoing the point made by those on the Opposition Front Bench that we should not be reopening arguments that have been settled and settled with great impartiality—settled with a really serious consultation process to look at how this could be done in as fair and impartial way as possible, and with a judicial element to that which protects the independence of decision making. I think we have found a way forward here, which is sensible and which can command support of all communities, and we should take it.
Shadow Comment
Louise Haigh
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister thanked the Minister for his response, acknowledging the cross-party support but expressing disappointment over the missed deadline. She highlighted individual victims' stories, emphasising the re-traumatisation caused by delays and urging all parties to meet their moral and legal obligations. The shadow questioned the current status of funding, responsibility for issuing guidance, scope for judicial board consideration, discussions with the Lord Chief Justice, and confidence in swift implementation once a department is designated.
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