Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether it is the Government's policy that victims in Northern Ireland of the infected blood scandal deserve as a matter of urgency the same financial recognition as those in Scotland, England and Wales due to the scandal having taken place under direct rule; and if she will meet representatives from Haemophilia Northern Ireland to discuss their concerns.
Answered by John Penrose
I am happy to confirm that The Infected Blood Inquiry is UK-wide and includes Northern Ireland. The contaminated blood scandal was an appalling tragedy and I urge all victims from Northern Ireland, or family members of victims, to engage with the Public Inquiry and I acknowledge the work of Haemophilia Northern Ireland to support some of those affected to do this. The Inquiry terms of reference include consideration of the question of financial assistance, including for those in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department takes to review the performance of commissioners on the board of Equality Commission.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does not have a role in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s budget or assessing legal cases it may take.
Responsibility for the Equality Commission’s functions and powers is devolved. It is sponsored by the Executive Office, which approves its budget and monitors spend and performance, including the performance of the board.
The Executive Office appraises the performance of the Chief Commissioner, including how the Commission has delivered its statutory duties and functions. Individual Commissioners are appraised by the Chief Commissioner.
As the Commission operates independently from Government you may wish to write directly to the Commission’s Chief Executive, and Accounting Officer, on the matters relating to the use of resources.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much money the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has spent on supporting legal cases in which the claimant was unsuccessful in the last 10 years.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does not have a role in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s budget or assessing legal cases it may take.
Responsibility for the Equality Commission’s functions and powers is devolved. It is sponsored by the Executive Office, which approves its budget and monitors spend and performance, including the performance of the board.
The Executive Office appraises the performance of the Chief Commissioner, including how the Commission has delivered its statutory duties and functions. Individual Commissioners are appraised by the Chief Commissioner.
As the Commission operates independently from Government you may wish to write directly to the Commission’s Chief Executive, and Accounting Officer, on the matters relating to the use of resources.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many legal cases the Equality Commission Northern Ireland lost in the last 10 years.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does not have a role in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s budget or assessing legal cases it may take.
Responsibility for the Equality Commission’s functions and powers is devolved. It is sponsored by the Executive Office, which approves its budget and monitors spend and performance, including the performance of the board.
The Executive Office appraises the performance of the Chief Commissioner, including how the Commission has delivered its statutory duties and functions. Individual Commissioners are appraised by the Chief Commissioner.
As the Commission operates independently from Government you may wish to write directly to the Commission’s Chief Executive, and Accounting Officer, on the matters relating to the use of resources.
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what equality impact assessments are carried out by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland before making a decision to take a legal case.
Answered by Shailesh Vara
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland does not have a role in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s budget or assessing legal cases it may take.
Responsibility for the Equality Commission’s functions and powers is devolved. It is sponsored by the Executive Office, which approves its budget and monitors spend and performance, including the performance of the board.
The Executive Office appraises the performance of the Chief Commissioner, including how the Commission has delivered its statutory duties and functions. Individual Commissioners are appraised by the Chief Commissioner.
As the Commission operates independently from Government you may wish to write directly to the Commission’s Chief Executive, and Accounting Officer, on the matters relating to the use of resources.