Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Caine on 7 November 2022 (HL Deb col 530), what assessment they have made of the compatibility of Article VI of the Union of Ireland Act 1800 with the green and red lane system in the Windsor Framework.

We published our legal position when the Windsor Framework was agreed. This provided the Government's assessment that the Framework respects the Acts of Union.

We understand that the Acts of Union are of fundamental importance, reflecting Northern Ireland’s constitutional position in the United Kingdom.

We remain fully committed to Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and believe that it is best safeguarded by a fully functioning devolved government.