Submit Evidence (by 7 Nov 2025)

2026 marks 25 years since the establishment of the PSNI following the recommendations of the Patten review on policing. This inquiry will examine how far the objectives and aspirations of the Patten review have been realised, and explore the key challenges facing policing and security in Northern Ireland today—particularly in areas that remain under UK Government co-ordination and funding. Read our call for evidence [here] for more detail about the inquiry and how to contribute your views.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will legislate to reverse the effect of the judgment of the Supreme Court in R v Adams [2020] UKSC 19 to ensure that Gerry Adams is not entitled to receive public money due to his detention in the 1970s and to restore the doctrine created as a result of the judgment in Carltona v Commissioners of Works [1943] 2 All ER 560 under which a duly authorised official is able to take executive decisions on a Secretary of State's behalf.

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

The main issue here is the application of the Carltona principle in the context of Interim Custody Orders. The previous Government’s attempt to address this following the 2020 Supreme Court judgment in Adams has been found by the Northern Ireland courts to be incompatible with our international obligations and we need to find a better way of reaffirming this principle.

The Government is carefully exploring how to address this complex issue alongside our clear commitment to implement legacy mechanisms that are fully compliant with human rights, and will do so in upcoming Primary Legislation.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many Northern Ireland Troubles legacy inquests have taken place into (1) killings of security force members, (2) killings of known terrorists, and (3) killings of civilians; and what are the names of each of those inquests.

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

Legacy Inquests are a matter of public record and are available on the Judiciary NI website.

The conduct of inquests in Northern Ireland is devolved and, as records of any pre-devolution inquests would have been transferred to the Northern Ireland Department of Justice (DOJ), requests for information on these matters should be directed to the DOJ.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what involvement or role is planned for the government of Ireland within any Troubles legacy institutions in Northern Ireland.

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

The Government considers the Irish Government to be an essential partner in addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past. On Friday 19 September 2025, the two governments published a high-level framework document outlining all key areas on which they have reached agreement, which includes meaningful and tangible commitments by the Irish Government and UK Government respectively.

The Framework is enclosed.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what further legacy inquests they plan to instigate as part of the Northern Ireland Troubles legacy.

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

As I set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 19 September 2025, the UK and Irish governments have published a framework document outlining the main areas on which the two governments have reached agreement on Legacy. The Government will fulfil its commitment to restore those inquests that were halted by the Legacy Act. The remainder will be considered in a sifting process by the Solicitor General. Our approach reflects the importance of inquests to many families, but also the significant role that a fully reformed Commission with more powers will play in achieving outcomes for families, particularly in cases containing sensitive information.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 12 September (HL10086), why voters with photographic identification cannot receive an Electoral Identity Card.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the response given on 12 September 2025 to UIN HL10086.

The sole purpose of the Electoral Identity Card is for voting at a polling station. If an individual holds another accepted form of photographic voter identification, they may use it to vote and there is no need to apply for an Electoral Identity Card.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many days the Union Flag was flown on his Department's main buildings in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office is a tenant within two UK Government Hubs, one is located at Erskine House in Belfast, and the other at 1 Horse Guards Road London. Our Belfast office is managed by HM Revenue & Customs and our London office is managed by the Government Property Agency. As a tenant, the Northern Ireland Office does not hold information regarding flag flying in respect of these offices.

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Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress he has made on the Local Growth Fund for Northern Ireland.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Since the announcement at Spending Review of a new Local Growth Fund for Northern Ireland, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has initiated work with the Northern Ireland Office to design a new fund that will drive growth in Northern Ireland’s unique economy and improve the lives of local people. I am clear that this new funding should have a bespoke design for Northern Ireland, working in partnership with the NI Executive.

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