Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many of the ongoing prosecutions against members or former members of paramilitary organisations concern (1) dissident republican groups, (2) the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and (3) the Irish National Liberation Army.

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

I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category. The Government does not hold information regarding the specific paramilitary organisations involved in each case.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions in relation to activities in Northern Ireland are outstanding of (1) former members of the Armed Forces, and (2) former members of (a) loyalist and (b) republican paramilitary organisations.

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

I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category, one in the loyalist category, one in the former police category and one in the military category.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many Troubles-related criminal cases are pending to appear in court or currently being processed against (1) members of proscribed terrorist organisations and (2) veterans of the security forces.

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

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category, one in the loyalist category, one in the former police category and one in the military category.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions there have been in relation to activities in Northern Ireland of (1) soldiers, (2) former soldiers, and (3) members of (a) loyalist and (b) republican paramilitary organisations, in each year since 1998.

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

I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

This is a matter for the devolved and independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland. The Government, therefore, does not hold the specific information that has been requested.

We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 decisions on whether to prosecute were taken in relation to Troubles-related cases. Of these 68, there were 25 decisions to prosecute; 13 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the republican category, 6 within the loyalist category, and 6 within the military category.

Where decisions have been taken to prosecute, there have been 6 convictions; 3 in the republican category, two in the loyalist category, and 1 in the military category, with that individual being given a suspended sentence.

We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with respect to the Windsor Framework Independent Monitory Panel Report on the first reporting period for the UK Internal Market Guarantee for 1 January to 30 June 2025, whether the 4% of movements that paid duty relates to all movements that involved the payment of duties or just those movements that involved the payment of duties and had not sought reimbursement under the duty reimbursement scheme.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025.

Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework.

Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Windsor Framework Independent Monitory Panel Report on the first reporting period for the UK Internal Market Guarantee for 1 January - 30 June 2025, what proportion of the 96% movements by value moved without the payment of a duty (a) were made in compliance with (i) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1128 of 24 March 2023 and (ii) Regulation (EU) 2023/1231 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2023 and (b) were made under the full EU Customs Code, Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025.

Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework.

Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Windsor Framework Independent Monitory Panel Report on the first reporting period for the UK Internal Market Guarantee for 1 January - 30 June 2025, whether the more than 80% of all freight movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland referred to took place under the UK internal market system, in line with page 15 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, as distinct from whether more than 80% of all freight movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland by value moved without paying any duty, and (b) what was the figure.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I can confirm that 96% of the value of goods moving by freight did so within the UK internal market system, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement laid in the House on 5 November (HCWS1021) on the Independent Monitoring Panel report covering the period of 1 January-30 June 2025.

Whilst I would emphasise that it remains a matter for the Panel to determine what it reports on and recommends to the Government, I can also confirm that the facilitations relevant to the Internal Market Guarantee are in accordance with the Windsor Framework.

Page 6 and 7 of the Panel’s report sets out the methodological basis of its reporting. Goods movements subject to tariffs are not counted toward the Guarantee, even when they are later provided with reimbursement. They are therefore counted within the 4% statistic of goods that did not move within the UK internal market system.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar dated 27 October 2025.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I replied to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar on 13 November 2025 by email.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) single sex and (b) gender neutral bathroom facilities his Department provides in its Whitehall premises.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office is a tenant within Erskine House in Belfast, and 1 Horse Guards Road London. This building is managed by the Government Property Agency and as a tenant, the Northern Ireland Office does not hold information regarding bathroom facilities in respect of these offices.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK's membership of the European Convention on Human Rights on the Good Friday Agreement.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The UK is a proud signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights which underpins many international agreements on trade, security and migration, as well as the Good Friday Agreement.

That Agreement also required domestic incorporation of the ECHR into Northern Ireland law which was enacted through the Human Rights Act 1998.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK's membership of the European Convention on Human Rights on the Good Friday Agreement.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The UK is a proud signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights which underpins many international agreements on trade, security and migration, as well as the Good Friday Agreement.

That Agreement also required domestic incorporation of the ECHR into Northern Ireland law which was enacted through the Human Rights Act 1998.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it progresses through Parliament.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) follows the Ministry of Justice for its HR policies. The MoJ published updated domestic abuse guidance and support on their intranet in August 2025, helping staff and managers assess safety concerns, and providing information on how best to support individuals and teams. This guidance is readily accessible to all staff in the NIO alongside a range of wellbeing support.

Found: www.parliament.uk/lords Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Office

Found: www.parliament.uk/lords Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Office

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what arrangements will be in place to ensure cross-departmental decision-making between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Office in the implementation of the (a) Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and (b) Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme after 1 January 2026.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Cross-departmental decision-making arrangements are an internal Government matter. There is extensive cross-departmental engagement on this matter, including at official and ministerial level - and both within the UK Government and with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). In addition, DAERA is included in the Veterinary Medicines Working Group. This engagement also concerns the implementation of the two schemes, and the Government is confident that they will be delivered by 1 January.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of preparedness for changes in the national terror threat level in (a) general and (b) Northern Ireland.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK National Threat Level remains at SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely. The UK National Threat Level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre who consider all relevant intelligence and information to produce an assessment of the threat from terrorism in the UK and overseas. Due to this, the Home Office regularly reviews its plans with Government departments to react to a change in threat level.

The threat to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland-related terrorism is SUBSTANTIAL. The Northern Ireland Office are responsible for this threat level.

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