Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill

Wednesday 9 November 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government understand the importance of addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland and are engaging with stakeholders to address concerns.
  • The Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill in the House of Lords will take place in a couple of weeks.
  • The Secretary of State has acknowledged the need for changes to the Bill following criticism from the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Northern Ireland
Context

Discussions about the progress of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill are ongoing. The Secretary of State visited the WAVE trauma centre, focusing on victim perspectives.

Question

What recent discussions have you had with Cabinet colleagues on the progress of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill? It was good to see that the Secretary of State visited the WAVE trauma centre; I know that will have focused his mind on the perspective of victims. This is a very complex and difficult piece of legislation to get right, but you will know that, as drafted, the Bill does not have the support of any of the parties in Northern Ireland. Given that we now have a new Prime Minister and a new Secretary of State, do you see an opportunity to progress the Bill in a way that will bring people with the Government?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The answer is, basically, yes. The Government understand how important addressing the legacy of the past is for Northern Ireland. We recognise that the Bill is difficult for many, and we continue to engage with stakeholders such as WAVE and across the piece regarding their concerns and how we can address them as the Bill proceeds through Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify a timeline or detailed action plan to gain support from Northern Ireland parties

How: We Recognise That The Bill Is Difficult For Many, We Continue To Engage With Stakeholders

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Q2 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Northern Ireland
Context

The legacy Bill needs to progress in Parliament, but concerns have been raised about moral equivalence and terminology.

Question

When might we see the legacy Bill back in this place, and will there be a necessary review of moral equivalence and terminology? The Second Reading of the legacy Bill in the House of Lords will take place in a couple of weeks' time.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government are clear that we will never accept any moral equivalence between those who upheld the law in Northern Ireland and those on all sides who sought to destroy it. The legislation seeks to deliver better outcomes for all those most affected by the troubles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify a timeline or review process for terminology and moral equivalence

How: The Government Are Clear That We Will Never Accept Any Moral Equivalence

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Q3 James Sunderland
Northern Ireland
Context

The Secretary of State must ensure that the final outcome of the legacy Bill has support from innocent victims' families.

Question

Has the Secretary of State accepted the cold, hard fact that to have any legitimacy the final outcome of the legacy Bill needs the support of innocent victims and relatives of those murdered by terrorists? These are very complex, historical issues, but we need buy-in from all parties involved for it to be successful.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

Yes, I absolutely understand that point. Everything that we have been doing since I became Secretary of State is about trying to engage and consult more with those who had issues with the legacy Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific commitment or plan for gaining support from victims' families

How: Everything That We Have Been Doing Since I Became Secretary Of State Is About Trying To Engage And Consult More

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Q4 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland
Context

The legacy Bill needs strong support to be successful, and cross-party amendments could play a crucial role.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government will see it through to the end, and will he confirm that this legislative proposal is very much the last-chance saloon? These are very complex, historical issues and this is the one chance we have to try to resolve them. However, in the spirit of trying to build compromise and consensus, will he and the Government keep an open mind about cross-party amendments in the other place?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I am quite sure that the Bill is the last legislative vehicle with which any Government will try to address this problem, so it is very important. And yes—I am listening to all parties and all the consultees we talk to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify a detailed action plan for cross-party amendments or timeline

How: I Am Quite Sure That The Bill Is The Last Legislative Vehicle

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Q5 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Northern Ireland
Context

The Joint Committee on Human Rights has declared that the Bill is unlikely to be found compatible with convention rights, raising concerns about its effectiveness.

Question

Does the Secretary of State dispute that, or will he make changes to it? The Joint Committee on Human Rights has declared that the Bill is unlikely to be found compatible with convention rights. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has called it “fatally flawed”.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I am going to make changes to it.

Answered
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Q6 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Northern Ireland
Context

The Secretary of State has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the progress of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the progress of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. The Government are united around our shared objective of addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland's past in a way that delivers for those directly impacted by the troubles and helps society in Northern Ireland to move forward.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government are united around our shared objective of addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland's past in a way that delivers for those directly impacted by the troubles and helps society in Northern Ireland to move forward. As the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill continues its parliamentary passage, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that my officials and I will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government and across the House to ensure that the legislation is effective and durable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details of recent discussions

How: The Government Are United Around Our Shared Objective

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