Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 15 July (HL17173, HL17174, and HL17175), whether a decision was made to remove images of the Royal Family in Stormont House; if so, who made that decision; and whether any Northern Ireland Office ministers intend to review that policy.

Any compensation payments would be accounted for by the Northern Ireland Office in line with the guidance in Managing Public Money. Individual payments of more than the threshold required under Managing Public Money would be noted separately. Any compensation paid in respect of litigation would be determined with reference to legal advice.

In line with previous responses, the Northern Ireland Office will keep its obligations under review to ensure its requirements under fair employment legislation are met.

As I answered previously, information on employees’ personal data is sensitive, in order to comply with DPA requirements, and so I am unable to comment further.

Images displayed in Stormont House are refreshed at regular intervals. Current images displayed reflect the culture and landscapes of Northern Ireland. These are in keeping with the rest of the building decor. We have no plans to review this policy.

Royal portraits hang on public display at Hillsborough Castle, and also in the London Office occupied by the Northern Ireland Office. Other pictures of the Queen are displayed at Stormont House.