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<p>In Northern Ireland, corrosive substances are devolved and are the responsibility
of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. Clauses 1 to 4 of the Offensive
Weapons Bill which the hon Member has referred to, relate to proportionate restrictions
on the sale and delivery of certain acids and other dangerous corrosive chemicals,
and are part of a range of measures to provide better protection to people in local
communities across the UK<del class="ministerial">. I am continuing to work hard with
the parties in Northern Ireland to restore devolved government so that the devolved
administration can ensure the appropriate legislative consent is provided. </del><ins
class="ministerial">and to enhance public safety. Consideration has been given by
Northern Ireland departments and UK Government Ministers to extending these measures
in the absence of an Assembly or a Legislative Consent Motion, which can only be granted
during the passage of a Bill. The Bill contains separate commencement measures for
provisions extending to Northern Ireland which relate to devolved matters. These are
to be commenced by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and associated regulations
will not be commenced without Northern Ireland Assembly approval.</ins></p>
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