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1314753

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2021
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the (a) recommendations of the report by the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on abortion law in Northern Ireland and (b) majority judgments of the Supreme Court in In the matter of an application by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland) [2018] UKSC 27.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	1274
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2021 answer text <p>We recognise that access to abortion services is an emotive and sensitive issue for many. In July 2019, Parliament imposed on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a duty under section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 to ensure all of the CEDAW recommendations are implemented in Northern Ireland. This is a matter of domestic, not international, law.</p><p> </p><p>The devolution settlement does not absolve us of our responsibility to uphold the rights of women and girls, given the duty in section 9 of the EF Act did not fall away with the restoration of the Executive, nor with the making of the initial regulations that came into force on 31 March 2020.</p><p> </p><p>While we made the Regulations last March providing the framework for access to abortions, and some service provision commenced, this has not discharged those legal duties in full. We carefully considered the views and evidence presented through the consultation - including those who took the time to share individual, and often deeply personal experiences, to help shape the final framework for Northern Ireland. The CEDAW Report and recommendations require that evidence based protocols are adopted in terms of provision of services in Northern Ireland, and we took particular account of the views and evidence provided by experts and medical professionals, alongside the views of other respondents in making decisions on the final proposals. We considered the range of views in light of our legal obligations, and took evidenced based decisions, in order to bring forward a new legislative framework that is operationally sound, works best for Northern Ireland and that delivers on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s duty. To this end, we developed an abortion framework that provides access to services consistent with what the CEDAW Report and the section 9 duty require.</p><p> </p><p>We consider the Regulations to also be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and we are confident that the legal framework put in place, and the ongoing efforts to ensure the CEDAW recommendations are implemented, is lawful in light of case law and the statutory obligations imposed on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 24/05/2021 11:05:57 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1184307

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the implications of his policies of the request made by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland for additional funding to implement changes to the law on abortion.
	tabling member constituency	Lagan Valley
	tabling member printed	Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson
	uin	27958
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2020 answer text <p>I recently met the Northern Ireland Health Minister, Robin Swann MLA, to discuss the abortion regulations which will be laid in Parliament shortly.</p><p> </p><p>Once the law comes into force on 31 March 2020 it will be for the Northern Ireland Department of Health to commission abortion services through the health and social care system.</p><p> </p><p>The Northern Ireland Department of Health is continuing to work to explore the full costs of commissioning and operating the new services.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 16/03/2020 15:09:52 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	650 label Biography information for Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

1187867

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the extent of demand on the NHS in Northern Ireland that will result from the implementation of Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	34911
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>On 25 March, the Government made The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020, which came into force on 31 March 2020. I recognise the current strains on health systems right across the UK, but hope that full abortion services can be commissioned as soon as possible in Northern Ireland in the current circumstances, consistent with the Regulations we made. It will be a matter for the Northern Ireland Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board to assess the extent of the demand on the health system.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 21/04/2020 09:37:50 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1195386

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	Bexhill and Battle
	tabling member printed	Huw Merriman
	uin	902587
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>Abortion services are now a matter for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.</p><p>I am pleased that some service provision has commenced through existing sexual and reproductive health services in the Belfast, Northern and Western Trust areas. Information on these services is available through the Informing Choices NI helpline and the Central Booking Service.</p><p>I hope that longer-term services can be commissioned as soon as possible in the current circumstances, consistent with the Regulations we made.</p><p>The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 which were laid in March have now been replaced with the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 , which were laid in the House today. These regulations come into effect on 14th May and revoke the earlier regulations. Their legal effect in supporting the provision of services remains consistent, with a small correction having been made to address the concerns of the JCSI, so services can continue on the same basis.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 902590 question first answered 13/05/2020 16:31:53 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4442 label Biography information for Huw Merriman

1195387

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What assessment he has made of the adequacy of information for women seeking to access abortion services in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	Pontypridd
	tabling member printed	Alex Davies-Jones
	uin	902590
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>Abortion services are now a matter for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.</p><p>I am pleased that some service provision has commenced through existing sexual and reproductive health services in the Belfast, Northern and Western Trust areas. Information on these services is available through the Informing Choices NI helpline and the Central Booking Service.</p><p>I hope that longer-term services can be commissioned as soon as possible in the current circumstances, consistent with the Regulations we made.</p><p>The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 which were laid in March have now been replaced with the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 , which were laid in the House today. These regulations come into effect on 14th May and revoke the earlier regulations. Their legal effect in supporting the provision of services remains consistent, with a small correction having been made to address the concerns of the JCSI, so services can continue on the same basis.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker grouped question UIN 902587 question first answered 13/05/2020 16:31:53 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4849 label Biography information for Alex Davies-Jones

1195514

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of exercising his powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to direct the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to commission services to comply with section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2019; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Walthamstow
	tabling member printed	Stella Creasy
	uin	46639
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>In accordance with section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019, regulations are now in place to make provision for accessing abortions in Northern Ireland. <br> <br> I am pleased that some service provision has commenced on the ground in Northern Ireland through existing sexual and reproductive health services during this uncertain time.</p><p>I recognise the strain on the Northern Ireland health system at present. The Government stands ready to provide whatever support we can to the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to commission full abortion services, in line with the new legislative framework, as soon as possible. Consequently, no assessment has been made of exercising powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 18/05/2020 11:01:17 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4088 label Biography information for Stella Creasy

1199025

	registered interest
	date	01/06/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 46639, on Abortion: Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of exercising his powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to direct the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to commission services to comply with section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Walthamstow
	tabling member printed	Stella Creasy
	uin	51932
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2020 answer text <p>In accordance with section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019, regulations are now in place to make provision for accessing abortions in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>The duty to implement the CEDAW recommendations under section 9 of the NIEF Act is a matter of domestic, not international, law.</p><p> </p><p>Therefore we have not yet considered making an assessment of exercising powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.</p><p> </p><p>We hope that longer term services can be commissioned as soon as possible in Northern Ireland, consistent with the Regulations and we will continue to work with them to achieve this.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 04/06/2020 16:34:31 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4088 label Biography information for Stella Creasy

1200043

	registered interest
	date	03/06/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the implications for the Government's policy of the Northern Ireland Assembly opposing the extension of abortion regulations to Northern Ireland.
	tabling member constituency	North Antrim
	tabling member printed	Ian Paisley
	uin	54110
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2020 answer text <p>The Northern Ireland Assembly has not opposed the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020.</p><p>The debate in the Assembly on 2 June 2020 was focused on one aspect of those regulations, severe fetal impairment, and does not have any binding effects on the Regulations we have made.</p><p>As abortion remains a devolved issue in Northern Ireland, the Assembly remains able to legislate on abortion, subject to the usual Assembly and other procedures, including compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. The UK Government will continue to ensure we abide by our domestic and international legal obligations.</p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 09/06/2020 11:20:40 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4129 label Biography information for Ian Paisley

1219217

	registered interest
	date	30/06/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2020 to Question 51932, on Abortion: Northern Ireland, and with reference to the statement of 26 June 2020 from the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland that, Decisions remain to be taken on the commissioning of abortion services in NI’s health service. Commissioning is a significant process that will require a public consultation. It will clearly be matter for the Executive and Assembly as well as the Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of exercising his powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to direct the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to commission services to comply with section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Walthamstow
	tabling member printed	Stella Creasy
	uin	66853
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2020 answer text <p>I refer to my answer to Question 51932. The duty to implement the CEDAW recommendations under section 9 of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act is a matter of domestic, not international, law, and as such we have not yet considered making an assessment of exercising powers under section 26 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.</p><p> </p><p>We hope that longer term services can be commissioned as soon as possible in Northern Ireland, consistent with the Regulations and we will continue to work with the relevant Northern Ireland departments to achieve this.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 06/07/2020 08:28:41 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4088 label Biography information for Stella Creasy

1221172

	registered interest
	date	06/07/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the statement of 26 June 2020 from the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland that decisions remain to be taken on the commissioning of abortion services in NI’s health service. Commissioning is a significant process that will require a public consultation. It will clearly be matter for the Executive and Assembly as well as the Department, and pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2020 to Question 66853 on Abortion: Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to fulfil his obligation under section 9 of the Northern Ireland Formation Act 2019 to ensure that the recommendations in paragraphs 85 and 86 of the CEDAW report are implemented.
	tabling member constituency	Walthamstow
	tabling member printed	Stella Creasy
	uin	69534
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2020 answer text <p>In accordance with section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019, regulations are now in place to make provision for accessing abortions in Northern Ireland. These regulations implement several of the recommendations in paragraphs 85 and 86 of the CEDAW report.</p><p> </p><p>The Government response to the consultation sets out how the Government is ensuring implementation of all of the recommendations that remain outstanding. We will continue to work closely with the relevant Northern Ireland departments, where relevant, in continuing to progress this work over the coming months.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Worcester answering member printed Mr Robin Walker question first answered 09/07/2020 13:30:49 answering member 4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker
	tabling member	4088 label Biography information for Stella Creasy