Northern Ireland Office

I can confirm to my hon. Friend that a response was issued from my office to the Hon. Gentleman on 10 December 2021.

As set out in the Queen’s Speech, this Government is committed to bringing forward legislation to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

That is why, on 14 July, the Government published a Command Paper setting out its legacy proposals, with a focus on information recovery, reconciliation and delivering for those most directly affected by the Troubles.

The Government has, and continues to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and reflect on what we have heard, and are considering our next steps carefully in advance of introducing legislation.

This information is not collected. At the time, staff were expected to work from home and undertake meetings remotely, wherever possible.

There are currently approximately 300 to 400 internment-related civil claims against the Northern Ireland Office brought on a similar basis to that of the case of R vs Adams.

As noted in the Supreme Court judgement of 13 May 2020 in the case of R vs Adams, the 1973 order was signed by a Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office.

The use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy during the period 1987-1997 was relatively common and instances of this were not recorded in a single central list.

As Baroness Randerson said in her Written Answer, officials from the Northern Ireland Office contacted colleagues in the Department of Justice, The National Archives, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and the Royal Household to ascertain if they held relevant information.

While individual case records are likely to have been destroyed in accordance with proper protocols, all available details of issued Northern Ireland related RPMs have been located and collated. The Northern Ireland Office continues to meet its obligation to manage records in line with operational needs, best practice, relevant legislation and regulation, and guidance from The National Archives.

I refer the hon Gentleman to the answer provided on 30 November (UIN 79422).

Trade within the UK internal market is vital to our economic prosperity and is a key part of the Government's commitment to strengthen the Union, bringing us closer together. Trade across the Irish Sea with Scotland, Wales and England accounts for nearly sixty per cent of Northern Ireland’s total external trade. Trade between Wales and Northern Ireland is important to the success of both economies, and the Government remains committed to strengthening these routes, to level up all parts of the United Kingdom.

I am delighted that Northern Ireland recently hosted the Board of Trade, which discussed opportunities for growth in digital trade across the UK. It brought together Cabinet ministers and trade advisers to highlight Northern Ireland's fantastic businesses, and opportunities for investment.

We are committed to boosting overseas exports from Northern Ireland, and the Department for International Trade has established a hub in Northern Ireland to assist businesses to export. Invest NI, the Department for International Trade and the Northern Ireland Office will do everything they can to promote Northern Ireland’s excellent goods and services.

We are aware of the recent recommendations made by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions regarding the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and are working with the Commission to review the issues raised.

We provide funding to the Commission both for their work in the protection of rights set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, but also for their participation in the Dedicated Mechanism. We are absolutely committed to ensuring the Commission has the ability and resources to carry out its core functions, and we are in regular communication with the Chief Commissioner, Commissioners and staff regarding the important work that the Commission carries out.

We are aware of the recent recommendations made by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions regarding the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and are working with the Commission to review the issues raised.

We provide funding to the Commission both for their work in the protection of rights set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, but also for their participation in the Dedicated Mechanism. We are absolutely committed to ensuring the Commission has the ability and resources to carry out its core functions, and we are in regular communication with the Chief Commissioner, Commissioners and staff regarding the important work that the Commission carries out.

We have been in ongoing technical talks with the EU. There has been some potential convergence on the medicines issue but agreement has not been reached. Any acceptable solution needs to ensure that medicines are available at the same time and on the same basis across the whole of the UK. Continued supply of medicines to Northern Ireland is paramount.

The UK Government has delivered 11 of the commitments it signed up to in the New Decade, New Approach deal. We have released over £700 million of the £2 billion of funding agreed in the deal, delivered a series of events marking the centenary of Northern Ireland, and introduced institutional reforms via the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill. We continue to drive progress on our outstanding commitments as a matter of priority.

The Government is resolutely committed to the Union and will take every opportunity to promote Northern Ireland’s integral place within it as we have said many times, while always upholding the consent principle we will never be neutral on Northern Ireland's position within our United Kingdom.

During this centenary year for Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, the Government has proudly celebrated the contribution of Northern Ireland’s people, culture, traditions and enterprise to our Union and the world.

The record settlement for Northern Ireland in the Spending Review demonstrated the clear benefits of the Union, with £15 billion per year in funding alongside investment through the New Deal, City and Growth Deals and the New Decade, New Approach financial package.

Together, this investment will deliver greater prosperity and stronger public services for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland. All of this underlines the enormous benefit Northern Ireland gains from being part of the fifth largest economy in the world.

The Government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the benefits of levelling up are felt across the United Kingdom, and to make Northern Ireland an even better place to live, work and invest within it.

I am pleased to say that my Department is meeting the target of having 2.3% of new starts as apprentices this financial year. One is working in my Private Office and the other in our Communications team; both roles offer excellent opportunities to work at the heart of the department, developing a range of skills.

There is shared recognition of the serious problems experienced under the Protocol and the need for solutions.

Our preference is to settle this consensually and reach a positive, negotiated outcome. We have no interest in a fractious and difficult relationship with the EU but the UK Government is clear that all options remain on the table, including the invocation of Article 16.

The Government’s programme to mark the Centenary of Northern Ireland this year has been an enormous success, with the delivery of major cultural, sporting, business, community and academic events that have engaged people from all communities across Northern Ireland, the UK and internationally.

The programme has strengthened national recognition and international awareness of Northern Ireland’s unique and enduring contribution to the UK’s culture and economy, and promoted Northern Ireland as an increasingly great place to live, work, study and do business.

Ministers holding meetings or phone calls on government business are routinely accompanied by a private secretary or other official, in line with the expectations of paragraph 8.14 of the Ministerial Code.

The UK Government engages regularly with the Irish Government, on a range of matters that require or benefit from the partnership between our two countries, including legacy matters. Legacy issues are due to be discussed during the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) on 2 December.

The UK and Irish Governments have also been undertaking a period of engagement regarding legacy issues, as announced following the BIIGC in June. During this engagement, the recent public intervention by former Attorney General and Justice Minister in Ireland, Michael McDowell, who stated that a de facto moratorium on the investigation and prosecution of IRA members exists in Ireland, has been discussed.

As part of the joint engagement process announced by the UK and Irish Governments following the British and Irish Intergovernmental Conference in June, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, together with the Irish Government’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, held a roundtable with the leaders of the Northern Ireland parties on 16 July.

Since then, the UK Government has facilitated numerous engagements with a range of stakeholders to discuss legacy issues with the two governments and representatives from the Northern Ireland parties, while the UK Government has conducted its own bilateral engagements, including with the Northern Ireland parties.

This question was answered on 26 October 2021.

The number of Senior Civil Servants working in the Northern Ireland Office based in each of the NUTS1 UK regions on (a) 1 March 2019, (b) 1 March 2020, (c) 1 March 2021 and (d) 1 September 2021 are shown below:

The UK and Irish Governments announced a joint engagement process to make progress on legacy issues following the British and Irish Intergovernmental Conference in June. As part of this process, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, together with the Irish Government’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, held a roundtable with the leaders of the Northern Ireland parties on 16 July.

Since then, the UK Government has facilitated numerous engagements with a range of stakeholders to discuss legacy issues with the two governments and representatives from the Northern Ireland parties. This process has been led by senior officials, who ensure that the Secretary of State is kept apprised of the issues raised and views expressed in these meetings, which were not attended by UK or Irish ministers. There has been no ministerial attendance by the UK or Irish Governments during these engagements. The Government has of course also been conducting its own bilateral engagement regarding legacy issues, and we have spoken to an extensive range of stakeholders.

Since the Government published the Command Paper, we have engaged with stakeholders across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Ireland on our proposals, including representatives from the victims sector and victims and survivors directly. This engagement has taken place both with the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland parties and bilaterally.

The UK Government, as set out with the Irish Government at the British and Irish Intergovernmental Conference in June, has been engaging with the Northern Ireland parties regularly since the formal engagement process started.

This has included a roundtable with the Irish Government and the leaders of the Northern Ireland parties on 16 July, and numerous engagements with a range of stakeholders to discuss legacy issues with the two governments and representatives from the Northern Ireland parties.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I meet regularly with the haulage industry, and a wide range of businesses, in Northern Ireland to enable a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced and to ensure that the appropriate support and practical solutions are available. I am looking forward to further discussions in the weeks ahead.

We continue to work with the Northern Ireland parties and the Irish Government to arrange the second Implementation Review Meeting, as set out under New Decade, New Approach. We hope that a progress update can be agreed by consensus and published at that stage.

Progress to date includes the release of over £700 million of the £2 billion of funding agreed in the deal, a series of events marking the centenary of Northern Ireland, and the implementation of institutional reforms via the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill.

As part of the ongoing discussions with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol (the Protocol) we have shared a draft legal text with the EU which reflects the proposals in our Command Paper and provides the foundation for a new forward-looking Protocol that will govern the trading relationship between the UK and EU as far as it affects Northern Ireland. It is a negotiating document at the moment and therefore not public.

Ministers meet regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive First Minister and deputy First Minister to share information on the progress of our discussions with the EU on the Protocol.

In July 2014, Lady Justice Hallett published a report following her review of the “on the run” administrative scheme. The review found that while the scheme contained a number of flaws, it was not unlawful.

In September 2014, the Government set out fully its position in relation to the scheme in statements to the House of Commons. In doing so, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland made clear that the scheme was at an end and that there was no basis, legal or otherwise, for any reliance on letters received by so-called “on the runs” under the scheme.

The number of Civil Servants employed by the Northern Ireland Office based in each of the NUTS1 UK regions on (a) 1 March 2021 can be found in the published National Statistics, Civil Service Statistics, as at 31 March 2021.

The numbers for (b) 1 June 2021 and (c) 1 September 2021 are shown below.

Formal, structured meetings are usually minuted, however, not all meetings need to be minuted. It is expected that the general guidance that departments give to their staff will help officials make judgements as to what meetings need to be minuted, noting their Civil Service Code obligation to ‘keep accurate official records.’

Specific procedures are in place for external meetings involving ministers. These are publicly available and can be found in the Guidance on the management of Private Office Papers.

The Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM) was used 16 times in relation to persons convicted and sentenced for terrorist offences in Northern Ireland between 2000 and 2002; seven times in 2000, six times in 2001, and three times in 2002. It was used to shorten (that is not waive or remove) sentences in relation to individuals who, for technical reasons, were not eligible for the early release scheme established under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.

The RPM was used once in 1998 and once in 1999 in non-terrorism related cases in Northern Ireland. In one case, an individual was granted the RPM following assistance that person gave to the authorities (reduction in sentence for such assistance is now provided for on a statutory basis under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005). In the other, the RPM was used to commute a portion of a sentence for a soldier who spent time under close military arrest for an offence prior to conviction. Had this person been a civilian, such time (equivalent to being on remand) would have been deducted from the sentence, but there was no statutory provision for this at the time in relation to close military arrest.

Whilst the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for recommending the exercising of the RPM for terrorism-related cases in Northern Ireland, since the devolution of policing and justice in 2010, responsibility for making recommendations for the RPM in all other cases lies with the Minister of Justice in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Office does not hold complete records for 1996 or 1997 due to record retention policies.

There are no statutory requirements relating to the publication of pardons granted under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM).

When it is used to shorten, rather than to waive or remove sentences, it is the convention of successive governments not to publish the use of the Royal Prerogative. Its use in Northern Ireland between 2000 and 2002 was in line with the early release scheme established under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998: the names of those who benefited from the early release scheme were also not published. The names of those who received the RPM in relation to terrorist convictions in Northern Ireland were made public in the judgement issued in the case of Rodgers [2014] NIQB 79.

There has been no compensation paid to Gerard Adams relating to litigation against the Northern Ireland Office.

There have been two other appeals to have convictions overturned that have been allowed. There are a further two who have filed applications for leave to appeal, which have not yet been dealt with.

There are a number of internment-related civil claims against the Northern Ireland Office. The claims are asking for compensation on the basis of the claimants’ view that they were unlawfully detained on a similar basis to Mr Adams.

None of these have been settled and the vast majority have not progressed far beyond the pre-action stage.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the medical professionals who have ensured that women and girls have had some local access to abortion services in Northern Ireland to date. These medical professionals have, however, not been properly supported by the commissioning of services in Northern Ireland.

The lack of workforce planning and training for abortion services in Northern Ireland reflects the ongoing failure to commission these services since the UK Government set out a framework that they should be delivered under in 2020. This delay is unacceptable and in July, I directed the Department of Health to commission abortion services in Northern Ireland by March 2022.

If it becomes clear at any stage before the March 2022 deadline that the Department of Health or Executive are not making sufficient progress, or are intent on blocking this issue, then I will have no alternative but to take further steps to ensure that women and girls have access to abortion services as decided by Parliament, and to which they have a right.

The delay in the implementation of abortion services is entirely unacceptable. Parliament has decided that women should have access to these services and this decision must be respected

I recently requested a timetable for the Health Minister’s bringing of proposals before the Executive Committee to commission abortion services. The direction I issued in July states that abortion services must be commissioned and delivered by March 2022, and this request is part of continued monitoring to ensure that services are delivered in line with that direction.

I am keen to work with the Health Minister to ensure that the rights of women and girls are protected in Northern Ireland. However, if it becomes clear at any stage before the March 2022 deadline that the Department of Health, or indeed the Executive, are not making sufficient progress, or are intent on blocking this issue, then I will have no alternative but to take further steps to ensure that women and girls have access to abortion services as decided by Parliament, and to which they have a right.

The UK Electoral Commission was established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and is independent of Government. It is accountable to Parliament via the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission (save for where its finances and Five Year Plan relate to the Commission's devolved Scottish and Welsh functions). Each financial year, the Commission is required to submit to the Speaker’s Committee an Estimate of its income and expenditure in relation to non-devolved elections. After its examination, the Speaker’s Committee lay the Estimate before the House of Commons. The Commission reports on outturn against the Estimate in the Annual Report and Accounts, which is certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Where the Commission's Annual Report and Accounts relate to Welsh and Scottish devolved functions, the Comptroller and Auditor General certifies those for the devolved Parliaments, not the UK Parliament.

The internal allocation of funding between the four national offices of the Electoral Commission is an internal matter for them.

The Government is taking forward the carefully negotiated legislative commitments on identity, language and culture in the New Decade, New Approach agreement as the Northern Ireland Executive has not done so.

The New Decade, New Approach agreement did not include provision for the teaching of the Irish language in schools and as such, the legislation the Government will introduce makes no change to the current arrangements

We are aware of the incident involving the burning of a bus in Newtownards, County Down. The security situation in Northern Ireland is kept under regular review and we are in close contact with security partners and the devolved administration.

We have not made any estimates of the number of such items owned by or collated in this Department.

Northern Ireland benefits hugely from being part of the fifth largest economy in the world. The UK Government is committed to levelling up across Northern Ireland, by promoting enterprise, creating jobs and attracting investment.

Northern Ireland will benefit from the UK Government's policies to level up the UK economy as a whole, such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, commitments to invest in Research and Development across the UK and support for local businesses.

During the Spending Review and Autumn Budget 2021, the Chancellor announced that the UK Government will provide the Northern Ireland Executive with an additional £1.6 billion per year on average through the Barnett formula on top of its annual baseline funding of £13.4 billion, along with an extra £235 million for 2021/22.

The Chancellor also announced that a total of £49 million has been allocated across 11 projects in Northern Ireland from the Levelling Up Fund, including; upgrading the electric vehicle charging network across Northern Ireland, the creation of a new bioscience research centre at Ulster University and the redevelopment of a derelict Ministry of Defence site in Derry/ Londonderry into an urban community farm.

The £400 million New Deal for Northern Ireland funding and £617 million provided through the City and Growth Deal programme will boost local growth and ensure Northern Ireland is ready to seize economic opportunities. These investments are on top of the £2 billion financial package through the New Decade, New Approach agreement and £730 million into the new PEACE PLUS programme.

Northern Ireland is also set to benefit from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which will help people access opportunity in places in need, such as deprived towns and rural and coastal communities. The UKSPF will increase to £1.5 billion / year in 2024-25 and total funding will at a minimum match the size of EU Funds in all nations, each year.

The Troubles Permanent Disablement Scheme opened in August 2021 and is being delivered by the Northern Ireland Executive. The scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who were injured in a Troubles-related incident throughout the UK between 1966 and 2010 and living with permanent disablement as a result.

UK citizens, people from Northern Ireland or Crown Servants injured in a relevant incident in Europe will be eligible to apply.

In addition, the Home Office’s Victims of Terrorism Unit ensures that victims of terrorism in Great Britain receive effective, comprehensive and coordinated support. Further details on the range of support available can be found at victimsofterrorism.campaign.gov.uk.

The Home Secretary has committed to an internal review, which will assess the wider support package available to victims of terrorism and will provide recommendations.

The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill does not make any provision in respect of the salaries, secretarial expenses and travelling expenses of Members of the Legislative Assembly during the proposed 24-week extension period for filling Ministerial offices

As part of the New Decade, New Approach deal, the UK Government committed to mark the Centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021 in a spirit of mutual respect, inclusiveness and reconciliation, in line with the Principles for Remembering. The Centenary programme presents a unique opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland’s contribution to the UK and highlight its people, places and products.

The Government’s approach has been to provide an opportunity to reflect on the past while building for the future, facilitating national recognition and international awareness of this significant anniversary, which represents not just the Centenary of Northern Ireland, but also of the United Kingdom as we know it today.

The Centenary Programme was devised to mark historical anniversaries, reflect on the historical aspects of the Centenary through an expert Historical Advisory Panel, and, through consultation with a cross community Centenary Forum, along with a number of other UK and international stakeholders, deliver a forward looking programme of events and support Northern Ireland on its path towards economic recovery following the Covid pandemic.

Representatives from the Irish Government’s Department for Foreign Affairs have been involved throughout, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has had regular discussions with the Irish Government on a range of matters, including on marking the Centenary as an important milestone within the Decade of Centenaries.

It is disappointing that the Northern Ireland Executive has not progressed the package of identity, language and culture legislation that was carefully negotiated as part of the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

This balanced package of legislation is not an 'Irish language bill’ as it will benefit everyone in Northern Ireland, including the Irish language and Ulster Scots communities, and culture and identity more widely.

In the absence of progress from the Northern Ireland Executive, the Government is now taking the necessary steps to introduce the legislation.

Thanks to the UK-wide vaccine rollout, over 85% of Northern Ireland’s adult population have received two doses of the vaccine. It will be important that we maintain this collective approach as we seek to recover from the pandemic.

Ministers across the UK Government speak to those in the Northern Ireland Executive and other devolved administrations on how they can support nationwide rollout.

Although each devolved administration controls its own public health policy, we have been coordinating our responses to Covid, seeking alignment in policy and approach where appropriate, to ensure we tackle the pandemic effectively.