Asked by: Diana Johnson (Labour - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what provision the recent Budget for Northern Ireland makes for ex gratia support for Northern Ireland citizens affected by contaminated blood; and whether that support is higher than the support provided in the previous fiscal year.
Answered by James Brokenshire
The provision made for those citizens affected by contaminated blood in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. In the absence of an Executive, spending and policy decisions fall to the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), though clearly there are a range of strategic decisions which require political decision-makers to be in place to take. That is why it is imperative we see a restored Executive in place, so that local politicians can take forward an agenda that delivers for the whole community in Northern Ireland.
As to the legislative framework, the Budget Act 2017 does no more than provide broad spending limits and ambits for NI departments, rather than detailing spending on specific programmes or initiatives. As above, those detailed decisions remain for the NICS. I have therefore asked if the NICS would respond to you directly on the 2017-18 position in this regard.
Asked by: Diana Johnson (Labour - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the development of the Northern Irish ex-gratia support scheme for people affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
Answered by James Brokenshire
The design and implementation of the scheme to support those affected by the issues caused by the contaminated blood scandal in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. It is therefore not appropriate for me to make any assessment or judgment as to the approach taken, though I understand that, in December 2016, the Northern Ireland Health Minister at the time announced increased financial support for people affected by contaminated blood prior to September 1991.
As to the public inquiry announced in July, I and my officials have remained in close contact with Government colleagues to facilitate discussions with the Northern Ireland Civil Service and with key stakeholders on the subject. Most importantly I know that those affected in Northern Ireland were made aware of the process, in particular the extension to the period of consultation to 18 October. More than 800 written responses across the United Kingdom were received and will be analysed thoroughly by the Cabinet Office, to whom responsibility for setting up the independent inquiry has transferred from the Department of Health.
As my Rt Honourable Friend the First Secretary of State made clear in his written statement on 3 November, this process will be taken forward as a full statutory public inquiry, created under the 2005 Inquiries Act, and a further announcement will follow before the end of the year on the next steps.
Asked by: Diana Johnson (Labour - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what representations he has received from the (a) Regional Business Services Organisation, (b) former North Irish Executive and (c) Northern Irish political, parties on the (i) inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal and (ii) ex-gratia support for people so affected by that scandal.
Answered by James Brokenshire
The design and implementation of the scheme to support those affected by the issues caused by the contaminated blood scandal in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. It is therefore not appropriate for me to make any assessment or judgment as to the approach taken, though I understand that, in December 2016, the Northern Ireland Health Minister at the time announced increased financial support for people affected by contaminated blood prior to September 1991.
As to the public inquiry announced in July, I and my officials have remained in close contact with Government colleagues to facilitate discussions with the Northern Ireland Civil Service and with key stakeholders on the subject. Most importantly I know that those affected in Northern Ireland were made aware of the process, in particular the extension to the period of consultation to 18 October. More than 800 written responses across the United Kingdom were received and will be analysed thoroughly by the Cabinet Office, to whom responsibility for setting up the independent inquiry has transferred from the Department of Health.
As my Rt Honourable Friend the First Secretary of State made clear in his written statement on 3 November, this process will be taken forward as a full statutory public inquiry, created under the 2005 Inquiries Act, and a further announcement will follow before the end of the year on the next steps.
Asked by: Diana Johnson (Labour - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make it her policy to hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
As part of the Northern Ireland Devolution settlement, prosecutions under the Offences against the Person Act 1861 are a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. I have no power to intervene in the Northern Ireland criminal justice system.
Asked by: Diana Johnson (Labour - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many press and public relations staff are employed by her Department; how many of those employees are paid more than (a) £50,000 and (b) £100,000; and what the total expenditure was on press and public relations by her Department in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answered by Theresa Villiers
The Northern Ireland Office employs four communications officers who deal with press and public relations as part of their roles. One is paid more than (a) £50,000 and none are paid more than (b) £100,000 per year. Total expenditure for press and public relations for the current financial year is £255,230 which includes staff time.