Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Consultations on Addressing Legacy of Northern Ireland's Past: Victims Groups

Wednesday 8 December 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government engaged with victims groups and other stakeholders after publishing the Command Paper.
  • Feedback from victims groups and other parties is being considered to ensure investigations continue.
  • The Government aim to deliver on Article 2 compliance and establish an information recovery body.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland
Context

Representations from victims groups regarding consultations on addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland's past.

Question

What recent representations have been received from victims groups on consultations on addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland's past?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Since publishing the Command Paper, the Government have engaged with a range of stakeholders, including victims groups, who we have always said must be central to discussions on legacy. Victims groups provided evidence at sessions that the Government convened with Northern Ireland parties and in partnership with the Irish Government.

Answered
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Q2 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland
Context

Opposition to the Government's amnesty proposals among victims groups in Northern Ireland.

Question

Now that there appears to be total unanimity in opposition to the Government's amnesty proposals among the people most directly affected in Northern Ireland, how will he reconcile their opinion with his desire to proceed?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We are working through the feedback that we received over the summer and autumn following engagement with a range of parties, including victims groups. We need to be honest about what is achievable and ensure that investigations continue. The information recovery body will have access to information in a way not seen before.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not directly address the opposition's concerns but acknowledged working through feedback received from stakeholders.

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Q3 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Northern Ireland
Context

Ensuring compliance with Article 2 and the development of a truth and reconciliation plan.

Question

If proposals are to secure traction, they will have to be compliant with article 2, and we will need a fully fleshed out plan for truth and reconciliation. Can he give assurances on both points?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Command Paper made clear ensuring investigations continue. There will be an information recovery body to get to the truth in ways not seen before. We are determined to deliver on that and ensure what we deliver is Article 2 compliant.

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Q4 Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade
Northern Ireland
Context

The Command Paper was published in July, implying a change in thinking over time.

Question

What is the difference between the Secretary of State's current thinking and his thinking as it stood when the Command Paper was published?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We have not had pauses. We said we wanted to engage with parties and agreed at the summer British-Irish intergovernmental conference to do so in partnership. Work continued over the summer and autumn, culminating in a meeting of the British-Irish intergovernmental conference just last week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary avoided addressing specific differences between current thinking and what was outlined in July but acknowledged ongoing engagement.

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Q5 Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade
Northern Ireland
Context

Proposals are currently on the table, but victims need to be at the forefront.

Question

Instead of delaying further, can he give a clear assurance that victims will be front and centre and in the driving seat before returning with proposals?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

We want to ensure we are delivering for people, especially victims who have waited too long. The Command Paper sets out a plan for getting to the truth of what happened. We need to look at failures of the current system and offer a new way forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not provide a clear assurance that victims would be in charge but highlighted delivering information recovery and looking into feedback.

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Q6 Johnny Mercer Con
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP received media briefings indicating repeated missed deadlines for Northern Ireland Office legislation. The Secretary of State had set seven self-imposed deadlines.

Question

On the weekend, I received another call from the media with a briefing from the Northern Ireland Office saying that legislation and a statement would be coming out this week. This is the seventh deadline to produce this legislation—self-set by the Secretary of State—that he has missed. Does he have any intention at all of honouring his word?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I do not recognise what my hon. Friend just outlined. I said that I would set out to Parliament our intended direction of travel and what we wanted to do before the summer recess, and we did that with the Command Paper. We did have an ambition to legislate this autumn, but we have had ongoing conversations with victims groups and veterans groups, the Irish Government and the parties in Northern Ireland. This is a complex area, and we need to ensure that when we deliver legislation on this, it works for the people of Northern Ireland and those who served there.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not specify whether he intends to adhere to the self-imposed deadlines for producing the legislation.

How: Did Not Recognise, Ongoing Conversations

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