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1176595

	registered interest
	date	05/02/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Proscribed Organisations: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their current assessment of the structure, roles and purpose of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Caine
	uin	HL1351
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2020 answer text <p>There was never and remains no justification for the existence of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. Responsibility for tackling activity by paramilitary groups or those associated with them, that have previously declared ceasefires rests with law enforcement and the devolved authorities. Both the Fresh Start and the New Decade, New Approach Agreements commit all relevant authorities to take a range of measures to tackle paramilitary activity, however that manifests itself. Updates on relevant activity to address this problem are provided to the Policing Board, the Department of Justice and the Justice Committee. The UK Government has the lead on paramilitary groups which have not declared ceasefires. These groups represent a SEVERE national security threat and although small and disparate, continue to show a reckless disregard for public safety. As a Government, we are committed to ensuring that our response to these groups and the harm these causes are robust and effective. <em> </em></p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 12/02/2020 16:04:13 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4581 label Biography information for Lord Caine

1176597

	registered interest
	date	05/02/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Proscribed Organisations: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to update their assessment of the structure, roles and purpose of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, published on 20 October 2015.
	tabling member printed	Lord Caine
	uin	HL1352
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2020 answer text <p>In 2015, the UK Government commissioned the <em>Assessment of Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland</em> in order to provide a factual assessment from the UK security agencies and the PSNI on the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland.</p><p>As the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, made clear at the time, this assessment was specifically intended to inform then ongoing cross-party talks.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 12/02/2020 16:04:30 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4581 label Biography information for Lord Caine

1174483

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Trade: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultation they intend to undertake on any secondary legislation regarding access for goods, products and services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
	uin	HL943
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been clear on the importance of involving Northern Ireland in the next stage of work, both political (the Executive) and public (businesses). We will work closely on how the Protocol is implemented, including on approach to the movement of goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 12/02/2020 12:13:59 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1174104

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Sovereignty: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to provide for a referendum in Northern Ireland on the reunification of Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL875
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2020 answer text <p>It remains the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland's view that a majority of the people of Northern Ireland continue to support Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom.</p><p> </p><p>The circumstances set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement that require the Secretary of State to hold a referendum on Irish unification are therefore not satisfied.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 05/02/2020 14:09:32 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1175230

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Trade: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government when they intend to bring forward the statutory regulations to address unrestricted access for business from Northern Ireland exporting goods to elsewhere in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
	uin	HL712
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2020 answer text <p>As set out in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ deal to restore the Northern Ireland Executive, the Government is committed to legislate to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the UK internal market, and ensure that this legislation is in force for 1 January 2021.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that there are still questions about the detail and how the deal will be operationalised. That is why this commitment is so important.</p><p> </p><p>It is of course vital that Northern Ireland businesses are closely involved in the next stage of this work and we will establish robust channels with both Ministers and officials to ensure this over the coming months. We will also engage in detail with the Executive on measures to protect and strengthen the UK internal market.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 04/02/2020 13:58:42 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1175233

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Trade: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what parliamentary procedure will apply to the forthcoming statutory regulations relating to unrestricted access for businesses from Northern Ireland exporting goods to elsewhere in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
	uin	HL713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2020 answer text <p>The power in Section 8C of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 also provides for regulations to be made to facilitate the access to the market within Great Britain of qualifying Northern Ireland goods.</p><p> </p><p>Overall this regulation making power is restricted in its scope insofar as it can only be used to implement the Protocol and, where appropriate, to implement the Government’s policy on unfettered access.</p><p> </p><p>Any use of the power which seeks to amend primary legislation, including the devolution statutes, or retained direct principal EU legislation would be subject to the affirmative procedure to provide appropriate scrutiny of the proposed legislation. In addition, where any regulations made under this power seek to, for example, establish a public authority or create or widen the scope of a relevant criminal offence, creates or amends a power to legislate or, as has been asked, facilitates the access to the market within GB of NI qualifying goods, they would also be subject to the affirmative procedure.</p><p> </p><p>Any other regulations under this power will be subject to the negative procedure.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 04/02/2020 13:58:07 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1170797

	registered interest
	date	14/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Terrorism: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the full analysis of their consultation Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland's Past, first published on 11 May 2018.
	tabling member printed	Lord Empey
	uin	HL391
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>A summary of responses to the Northern Ireland Office’s consultation ‘<em>Addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past’ </em>was published in July 2019. We will continue to look at the consultation responses to inform the way forward.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 28/01/2020 16:43:19 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1170810

	registered interest
	date	14/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Belfast Agreement
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following withdrawal from the EU, individuals will be able to initiate legal proceedings, independent of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission or the Equality Commission, if there is an alleged diminution of rights, safeguards or equality of opportunity as set out in the Belfast Agreement; and, if so, how this is provided for in the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL404
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2020 answer text <p>The amendments made, via schedule 3 of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, to sections 6 and 24 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 mean that the Northern Ireland Assembly, ministers and departments will be acting outside their competence or powers if they legislate or act in a way that breaches the “no diminution” commitment; this would be actionable by judicial review in the normal way. The Government also considers that Article 2(1) of the Protocol is capable of direct effect and that individuals will therefore be able to rely directly on this article before the domestic courts. Individuals will be able to bring proceedings independently or, where the case meets certain criteria, with the assistance of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission or the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 28/01/2020 12:23:44 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1169909

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 31 October 2019 (HL Deb, cols 1019), when the report of the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry will be published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL265
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2020 answer text <p>In December 2018, Sir Patrick Coghlin Chair of the independent inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme issued the following statement:</p><p> </p><p><em>“I recognise that there will be considerable public interest in this issue. I’m afraid it’s simply not possible to give a date by which the Inquiry report will be published. What we can say is that the report will be published as soon as reasonably possible and that the public can be assured that the Inquiry will work assiduously to ensure that is the case.”</em></p><p> </p><p>As the inquiry was established by the previous Executive and is being supported by the Department of Finance, my Noble Friend should direct further queries about the inquiry to the NI Minister of that Department.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 17/01/2020 12:32:01 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1169910

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Terrorism: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of the Ulster Defence Association and other loyalist gangs to commit crimes in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL266
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2020 answer text <p>The Ulster Defence Association and other loyalist groupings remain proscribed under Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000. <em> </em>The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland recently confirmed that the <em>Assessment of Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland</em>, published in October 2015, remains current. You may wish to refer to the assessment in conjunction with the <em>Second Report of the Independent Reporting Commission</em>, published in November 2019, for an up to date assessment of the capacity of the Ulster Defence Association and other loyalist groupings in Northern Ireland. The Independent Reporting Commission was established to monitor the progress of the Northern Ireland Executive’s programme of work to end paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>For your convenience, links to both of these reports are provided below:</p><p> </p><p>Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland - 19 October 2015</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/469548/Paramilitary_Groups_in_Northern_Ireland_-_20_Oct_2015.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/469548/Paramilitary_Groups_in_Northern_Ireland_-_20_Oct_2015.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Second Report of the Independent Reporting Commission - 4 November 2019</p><p><a href="https://www.ircommission.org/sites/irc/files/media-files/IRC%20-%202nd%20Report%202019_0.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ircommission.org/sites/irc/files/media-files/IRC%20-%202nd%20Report%202019_0.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 17/01/2020 12:33:05 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1169633

	registered interest
	date	08/01/2020
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the budget of the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland for the last three years for which figures are available.
	tabling member printed	Lord Empey
	uin	HL208
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2020 answer text <p>Budget figures for the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) are available as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Expenditure period</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Resource Budget</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Capital Budget</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2016-17</strong></p></td><td><p>£2.331m</p></td><td><p>£0.288m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2017-18</strong></p></td><td><p>£1.825m</p></td><td><p>£0.355m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2018-19</strong></p></td><td><p>£2.045m</p></td><td><p>£0.062m</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>In addition to EONI budget funding, the costs of Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections are met from the consolidated fund. Assembly elections are paid for from the Northern Ireland block grant and local councils pay for the administration of local district council elections.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 17/01/2020 12:31:22 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1168581

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the funds allocated to Northern Ireland in support of the Confidence and Supply Agreement of June 2017 have been drawn down, broken down by category; what, if any, sums remain to be drawn down, broken down by category; and what is the schedule for the drawing down of any remaining funds, broken down by category.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield
	uin	HL39
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2020 answer text <p>The financial annex to the Confidence and Supply Agreement sets out the allocation of the £1 billion made available to Northern Ireland. This is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservative-and-dup-agreement-and-uk-government-financial-support-for-northern-ireland" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservative-and-dup-agreement-and-uk-government-financial-support-for-northern-ireland</a></p><p><br> £763 million of this funding has to date been allocated to the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Allocations by category are tabulated below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Category</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>C&amp;S commitment</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Allocated</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Infrastructure</p></td><td><p>400</p></td><td><p>400</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Broadband</p></td><td><p>150</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Severe Deprivation</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>40</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Immediate pressures health and education</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>100</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Health Transformation</p></td><td><p>200</p></td><td><p>200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mental Health</p></td><td><p>50</p></td><td><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total (£m)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1000</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>763</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 07/01/2020 15:44:47 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4189 label Biography information for Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield

1167535

	registered interest
	date	30/10/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Police Service of Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of officers the Police Service of Northern Ireland needed to safely provide a police service for the people of Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hogan-Howe
	uin	HL543
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>Policing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and operational capability is a matter for the Chief Constable. The PSNI’s main budget is allocated by the Department of Justice from the Northern Ireland block grant.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government has provided the PSNI with the additional security funding it has asked for and needs to ensure that they have the resource (including officers) to tackle the SEVERE threat from Northern Ireland related terrorism. This additional security funding boosts PSNI’s ability to tackle the terrorist threat while ensuring day-to-day policing isn’t compromised.</p><p> </p><p>PSNI received £230m in additional security funding in the last Parliament and £160m in this one. In addition, the UK Government has, to date, provided PSNI with over £16.5m in EU Exit funding to help manage pressures and contingencies arising from ongoing EU exit preparations. This has enabled PSNI to recruit 206 additional officers this financial year.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 05/11/2019 13:03:52 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4693 label Biography information for Lord Hogan-Howe

1167243

	registered interest
	date	29/10/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made towards meeting the requirement of section 3(21) of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, namely that the Secretary of State must, and before 1 December, publish a report on the future welfare mitigation support measures that will be in place after March 2020, unless an Executive is formed on or before 1 December.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL511
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has always been clear that he will continue to uphold the letter and the spirit of his obligations under the Northern Ireland (Executive Function etc) Act 2019 in full. That includes the obligation to report on welfare support measures in Northern Ireland. A report will therefore be published by 1 December 2019 if no Executive has been formed.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 05/11/2019 12:54:36 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1152030

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Police: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland's opposition to an amnesty for members of the security forces who served in the Troubles.
	tabling member printed	Lord Touhig
	uin	HL374
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2019 answer text <p>The Northern Ireland Office recently published a summary report of all responses to the consultation on the Stormont House Agreement proposals to deal with the legacy of the past. The Police Federation’s response, one of the 17,000 received, contained a range of views on addressing the past, including opposition to amnesties. The clear majority of all respondents to the consultation argued that a Statute of Limitations or amnesty would not be appropriate for Troubles-related matters. The Government has always shared the view that amnesties are not the right approach and believes that justice should be pursued.</p><p> </p><p>The Police Federation’s response to the consultation, along with all others, is being taken into consideration as the Government continues to work with people in Westminster and Northern Ireland to find a fair way forward on this issue.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 31/10/2019 13:46:38 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	542 label Biography information for Lord Touhig

1149792

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Sovereignty: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic benefits to Northern Ireland of being a part of the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Caine
	uin	HL84
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2019 answer text <p>The UK Government believes strongly in upholding the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom - our four nations are safer, stronger and more prosperous together.</p><p> </p><p>Northern Ireland benefits from being part of the world’s sixth largest economy. The UK’s integrated internal market means there are no barriers to doing business for companies and people trading across the nations within the UK – creating jobs and prosperity across the country.</p><p> </p><p>Northern Ireland also benefits from the highest public spending per head (£11,190) in the UK - around 20% (£1,883) higher than the UK spend per head (£9,159).</p><p> </p><p>Moreover, over half (53%) of all external sales from Northern Ireland are to the rest of the UK, and half of external visitors to Northern Ireland are from the rest of the UK, with a total of 1.4million visitors in 2018.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 17/10/2019 15:25:42 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4581 label Biography information for Lord Caine

1149818

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 8 October (HL17821) and the report of the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland Review of Welfare Mitigation Schemes, published in March, which stated that "in the absence of a functioning Assembly it is considered that the only viable option for providing the legal authority for the Department to make a mitigation payment beyond 2020 would be for the Westminster Parliament to bring forward appropriate legislation", what steps they are taking to bring forward such legislation.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL110
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2019 answer text <p>The bespoke mitigation arrangements for Northern Ireland were agreed by the Executive following the “<em>A Fresh Start, the Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan</em>”.</p><p> </p><p>I understand that the present uncertainty over the future of these schemes has been a cause of considerable concern, especially for those in receipt of the top up payments.</p><p> </p><p>Neither the Northern Ireland Office nor its Ministers can instruct the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the devolved welfare space or direct spending from the NI block grant.</p><p> </p><p>We have however, following the Executive Formation Act, provided departments with additional guidance on the exercise their functions in the public interest in the absence of a restored NI Executive. And of course, we continue to work tirelessly to facilitate the restoration of locally accountable political leadership. I am grateful to the Noble Baroness for raising this matter.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 01/11/2019 12:52:39 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1146326

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that social security mitigations in Northern Ireland will continue after March 2020 in the absence of an Executive.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL17821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the various mitigation schemes relating to welfare reform in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>A decision to extend mitigations beyond March 2020 would be a matter for an incoming Minister for Communities in a restored Northern Ireland Executive.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 08/10/2019 11:26:18 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1146339

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to protect the Northern Ireland agricultural sector in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rogan
	uin	HL17834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>The agricultural sector plays an important role in the economy and society of Northern Ireland and we will do everything possible to safeguard the sector as the UK leaves the EU. That is best done by securing a deal with the EU, which remains the clear focus of this Government. With that said, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Ministerial team have been working closely with colleagues across Government and engaging with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to identify how we can best support the agricultural community in the event of a ‘no-deal'.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 08/10/2019 11:20:18 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	2478 label Biography information for Lord Rogan

1144146

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Offences against Children: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take in relation to the institutional abuse in Northern Ireland; and what plans they have, if any, to ensure survivors receive compensation.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hay of Ballyore
	uin	HL17634
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>The UK Government has committed to introducing legislation at Westminster by the end of the year, should a restored NI Executive not be in place.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has committed to finding a slot for this Bill.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 09/09/2019 15:35:53 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4352 label Biography information for Lord Hay of Ballyore

1144147

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Business: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support Northern Ireland's business community.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hay of Ballyore
	uin	HL17635
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2019 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to supporting businesses across the UK as part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to levelling up our regions. In doing so, the UK Government has supported NI businesses through:</p><p> </p><ul><li>The British Business Bank, which has supported 1,250 SMEs in Northern Ireland with £80.2m (as at December 2018) since 2014. In the last year alone, over 1,000 loans have been granted to NI businesses, valued at £7.3m;</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>At Spring Statement, a UK-wide review of the Aggregates Levy was launched which will consider the impact of the levy on businesses in Northern Ireland; and</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Delivering an ambitious set of City Deals worth over £400m.</li></ul><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 08/10/2019 11:26:48 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4352 label Biography information for Lord Hay of Ballyore

1141530

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Northern Ireland Commissioner for Victims and Survivors: Public Appointments
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to announce the appointment of the next Commissioner for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland.
	tabling member printed	Lord Empey
	uin	HL17398
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2019 answer text <p>The Government’s absolute priority remains the restoration of the NI Executive at the earliest opportunity. In the interim, the Government is committed to taking steps to ensure good governance and stable public services in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland, including where appropriate the making of critical public appointments.</p><p> </p><p>The current term of the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors ends on 31 August 2019. An announcement on this appointment will be made in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 05/08/2019 12:03:59 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

1140445

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Education: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive on the provision of (1) higher, (2) further, and (3) secondary, education in Northern Ireland; and in particular, variation of such provision between Belfast and Londonderry.
	tabling member printed	Lord Adonis
	uin	HL17278
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2019 answer text <p>It is important that we deliver excellent education for our children and young people across the United Kingdom.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland understands the pressures and decisions facing education centres across Northern Ireland. The Government has committed to publishing a report on or before 4 September 2019 on higher education provision in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>As education is devolved these matters are of course for an incoming NI Executive to consider. That is why securing a successful outcome to the talks process, so that a functioning NI Executive can be restored, is the Secretary of State’s absolute priority.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, I will pass on the Noble Lord’s concerns to the Department of Education.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 29/07/2019 11:51:59 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	3743 label Biography information for Lord Adonis

1137089

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Offences against Children: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 20 June (HL Deb, col 835), whether the issues relating to institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland have been resolved; and if so, when legislation will be introduced to provide compensation for the victims and their families.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL16953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made it very clear that she is determined to see redress for victims of historical institutional abuse as soon as possible. That is why she asked the NI parties to assist her in critical decisions that needed to be taken with regard to the redress scheme and other matters.</p><p> </p><p>The parties addressed those outstanding issues, and the Executive Office is currently working with the Office of <ins class="ministerial">the</ins> Legislative <del class="ministerial">Council </del> <ins class="ministerial">Counsel</ins> to redraft the legislation in light of the parties’ recommendations.</p><p> </p><p>When the legislation has been revised, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will consider the best way forward and the next steps as a matter of urgency.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 10/07/2019 11:29:14 question first ministerially corrected 15/07/2019 15:11:28 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank previous answer version 128202 answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1136763

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when the report of the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry will be published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
	uin	HL16913
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Sir Patrick Coghlin is leading the report into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and has stated that no date has yet been set for publication. As the inquiry was established and is being supported by the Department of Finance, my Noble Friend should direct further queries about the inquiry to the Permanent Secretary of that Department.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 09/07/2019 11:24:36 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden