Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which veterans' organisations he has met with to discuss his plans for the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

In my written ministerial statement of 29 July 2024, I committed to undertake a period of consultation with all interested parties, including veterans organisations, to hear views regarding a practical way forward on legacy issues that complies with human rights and can command support across communities in Northern Ireland and beyond.

I began this process by meeting the Victims and Survivors Forum and the South East Fermanagh Foundation on 28 August 2024, and will meet with other organisations, including those representing veterans, in the period ahead.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will publish the letter from Sir Iain Livingstone on the discovery of new documents relevant to Operation Kenova.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The letter addressed to me from Sir Iain Livingstone regarding the discovery of new documents relevant to Operation Kenova has already been published on the Operation Kenova website.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the General Product Safety Regulations on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government engages in regular discussions with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the EU on matters of mutual interest.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway in order to continue trading with the EU. We are providing more guidance to businesses in this area, will keep this under review, and continue to engage with businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of the General Product Safety Regulations on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government engages in regular discussions with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the EU on matters of mutual interest.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway in order to continue trading with the EU. We are providing more guidance to businesses in this area, will keep this under review, and continue to engage with businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the EU on the potential impact of the General Product Safety Regulations on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government engages in regular discussions with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the EU on matters of mutual interest.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be adapting anyway in order to continue trading with the EU. We are providing more guidance to businesses in this area, will keep this under review, and continue to engage with businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he is taking steps to secure further funding for Harland and Wolf in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Following a comprehensive assessment of the company’s financial profile and the criteria set out in UK Government risk policies, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade confirmed in a Written Ministerial Statement on 22 July that the UK Government had decided not to proceed with the provision of an Export Development Guarantee to Harland and Wolff.

This was not an easy decision, but we concluded that the market is best placed to resolve these commercial matters. Government funding would not necessarily secure our objectives, and there is a risk that taxpayer money would be lost.

We want to see an outcome for Harland and Wolff that delivers shipbuilding and fabrication in Northern Ireland and protects jobs, and we encourage all parties to engage with trade unions before further decisions are made.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) NI Executive and (b) Police Service of Northern Ireland on anti-immigration disorder and violence in Belfast in August 2024.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The disorder was unacceptable and does not represent the real Northern Ireland. Public safety and community cohesion are primarily the responsibility of local elected Ministers and I have therefore remained in close contact with the NI Executive and the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this matter.

I met the First and deputy First Minister and spoke with the Justice Minister who all share my shock and concern at the targeting of violence and intimidation towards minority communities in Northern Ireland.

I also met the Chief Constable to express my sincere thanks to the PSNI for working tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to keep communities in Northern Ireland safe. My officials and I continue to engage regularly with the PSNI.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The provision of severance payments for Ministers is set out in legislation. Details of the severance payments made to ministers when leaving office are published in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts available at https://www.gov.uk/. The amounts for 2023-24 will be included in the Department’s forthcoming Annual Report and Accounts upon completion of the year end audit.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 1169 on Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, how many times he has requested a review of (a) a Troubles-related death under section 9(3) of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 and (b) harmful conduct under section 10(2) of that Act since 1 May 2024.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

To date, I have not requested a review of (a) a Troubles-related death under section 9(3) of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, or of (b) harmful conduct under section 10(2) of that Act. This was also the case for my predecessor.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner a full time post.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

We will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to appoint a new Veterans’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland, including through the Veterans Welfare Service NI and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. We will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3049 on Patrick Finucane, if he will publish copies of his letters to (a) Mrs Finucane and (b) the Court of Appeal.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

On Wednesday 11 September, I made an oral statement to Parliament announcing the Government’s intention to establish an independent inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. I have notified the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal of this decision and Mrs Geraldine Finucane’s agreement to it.

The matter is still live before the Court. As such, I do not currently intend to publish these letters. Should I choose to publish them in future, I would seek Mrs Finucane’s and the Court’s approval to do so.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will publish his request to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland for extra time to consider the ruling in the case of Geraldine Finucane v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I met with Mrs Finucane on 25 July to hear firsthand her views, during which I explained that I would likely be required to seek an extension to the timetable set by the Court. I then wrote to Mrs Finucane and the Court of Appeal setting out in detail the rationale for the extension request, most notably that, in light of the recent change in government, the requirement for cross-government consultation, the need for officials across government to provide new Ministers with a full briefing on the case, and the parliamentary summer recess period during August, it would not be possible to reach a government decision on a process for investigation of the relevant aspects of Patrick Finucane’s death, that would be compliant with Article 2 of the European Court of Human Rights, within the timescale set by the Court (ie. by 22 August 2024).

Mrs Finucane did not object to the Government’s request and the Court has granted the Government an extension to 27 September 2024 to respond to its judgement of 11 July 2024.

I want to ensure that the Government makes a decision on this case as soon as possible and that this decision takes account of the views of Mrs Finucane.

I will update the House on the Government’s position in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the reasons behind, and (2) the consequences of, the resignation of the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner: and whether they intend to seek a successor.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Over the last four years, Northern Ireland’s first Veterans Commissioner, Danny Kinahan, worked on a range of important issues that affect veterans in everyday life, including health, housing, and welfare. The Government would like to thank Danny for his dedicated work on behalf of veterans and families living in Northern Ireland. On 5 September, he resigned from the role. A statement setting out his position has been published on the Veterans Commissioner’s website.

The Government is committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland, and will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to amend (1) the terms of reference, and (2) the remit, of the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are committed to continuing to support veterans in Northern Ireland and we will set out next steps for the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to ensure that journalists in Northern Ireland are protected from (a) threats of violence from paramilitary groups, (b) surveillance from security forces and (c) pressure to reveal sources.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

A free, independent media is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is vital that journalists are able to continue their work without the fear of attack or threat. The Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport is responsible for the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists which sets out our approach to increase the safety of journalists.

We work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive in their efforts to tackle the threat and harm caused by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. I commend the PSNI on the progress they have made to address journalist safety in Northern Ireland. Two Journalist Safety Officers have been appointed and are notified of all reports of threats to journalists. An internal Journalist Safety Group has also been established.

There are a number of robust legal protections afforded to journalists and their sources. These include Article 10 of The European Convention on Human Rights, the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, and the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. In addition, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) can consider allegations of unlawful intrusion by public bodies, including the UK intelligence services and Police.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on recent threats of violence against a Sunday World journalist.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Journalists play a vital role in our society. It is unacceptable that they should find themselves threatened for doing their job.

I meet regularly with the Chief Constable and his senior team regarding national security and discuss a range of issues. I commend the PSNI on the progress they have made to address journalist safety in Northern Ireland. Two Journalist Safety Officers have been appointed and are notified of all reports of threats to journalists. An internal Journalist Safety Group has also been established.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many positions in his Department included (a) diversity, (b) inclusion, (c) equity and (d) equality in their job title in each of the last five years; and what the total cost of the salaries of each such job was in each of those years.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has not held any positions with (a) diversity, (b) inclusion, (c) equity, and (d) equality in the job title in each of the last five years.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what undertakings they have given, if any, to the family of the late Patrick Finucane that the scope or terms of the public inquiry into his murder, announced on 11 September, will differ from those of the inquiry previously proposed to the family.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government will follow due process under the Inquiries Act 2005 in establishing the inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. This will include consulting the Inquiry Chair, once appointed, on the Terms of Reference. As set out to Parliament on 11 September, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland supports the assessment from the High Court that the Inquiry should ‘build on the significant investigative foundations which are already in place’. The Secretary of State has informed Mrs Finucane and her family that he will keep them updated on progress on establishing the Inquiry.

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Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to put the posts of the four Veterans Commissioners on a statutory footing; and on what timescale.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Veterans' Commissioners are currently appointed by Ministers. The Ministry of Defence, through the Office for Veterans' Affairs, continues to work closely with the Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales (VCfW), and the Scottish Veterans’ Commissioner (SVC), who is appointed by and reports to the Scottish Government (SG). The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is working through the next steps to appoint a new Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner.

Found: • Northern Ireland Office • Wales Office . Public consultation 13.

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Found: • Northern Ireland Office • Wales Office . Public consultation 13.

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Found: Meeting Note Name Organisation Sector Sue Gray (Chair) DLUHC UK government Colin Perry NIO

Found: Toland (representing John Walsh) SOLACE ( Belfast City Council ) Local government Harry Welch NIO

Found: government    Ciaran Hayes – Deputy Director , Economy Group NIO  UK government   Harry Welsh , NIO

Found: Agenda Name Organisation Sector Sue Gray (Chair) DLUHC UK government Stephen Rusk NIO

Found: Gray (Chair) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities UK government Colin Perry NIO

Found: Osborne (chair) DLUHC UK Govt Celine McStravick NICVA Voluntary & Community Julia Harrowsmith NIO

Found: Organisation Sector Sue Gray (Chair) DLUHC UK government Stephen Rusk (representing Colin Perry) NIO

Found: representing John Walsh) SOLACE (Belfast City Council) Local government Abbie Lea-O’Mahony (via Teams) NIO

Found: of Professor Ian Greer) Queens University Belfast Higher Education & Skills Julia Harrowsmith NIO

Found: • Northern Ireland Office • Wales Office . Public consultation 13.

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