The Government has been clear that the system for investigating incidents that took place during the Troubles must be balanced, proportionate and fair. We are committed to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland to provide justice for victims and greater certainty for military veterans.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Robin Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Worcester"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Robin Walker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-02-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-02-28T12:08:38.747Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-02-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterans: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether an assessment has been made of the capacity of the Northern Ireland criminal justice system to address vexatious investigations or prosecutions against veterans of the UK armed forces; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4856", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Farry"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Down"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Farry"} ], "uin" : "18929"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1173196", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1173196/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is committed to reforming the current legacy system in Northern Ireland in a way which provides reconciliation for victims and greater certainty for veterans. Nobody who has served in our armed forces should be subject to unfair prosecution in cases where no new evidence has been provided.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4118", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Smith"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Skipton and Ripon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Julian Smith"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-29T18:00:19.373Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterans: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 15 January 2020, Official Report, column 1020, what the Government's definition is of vexatious prosecutions; and how legislative proposals will prevent vexatious or unfair prosecutions of veterans who served in Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/450", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tony Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochdale"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tony Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "7592"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1172887", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1172887/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Questions about the administration of justice in Northern Ireland are for the relevant authorities. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to offering comprehensive legal and pastoral support for all veterans facing investigations as a result of their service on Operation Banner.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4485", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Johnny Mercer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Plymouth, Moor View"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Johnny Mercer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-30T14:53:38.513Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterans: Northern Ireland"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many investigations of veterans in relation to the conflict in Northern Ireland have been found to be vexatious.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4856", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Farry"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Down"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Farry"} ], "uin" : "7223"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1171982", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1171982/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have regular discussions about areas of mutual interest with colleagues across Government, including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The UK Government's commitment in the 'New Decade, New Approach<\/em>' (NDNA) Agreement to create a Northern Ireland Veterans' Commissioner is an important one. It builds on the UK Government's establishment in 2019 of the Office for Veterans' Affairs to provide lifelong support to ex-military personnel. Officials in Defence, the Office for Veterans Affairs, and the Northern Ireland Office are engaging to ensure effective implementation of the UK Government's commitments relating to veterans within the NDNA, and both I, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, will be monitoring the progress of that work closely.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4485", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Johnny Mercer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Plymouth, Moor View"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Johnny Mercer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-23T13:35:20.167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterans: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the document entitled New Decade, New Approach, published on January 2020, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on creation of a Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"}
], "uin" : "5448"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137599", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1137599/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I discuss these important issues with the Northern Ireland Secretary and other relevant Ministers on a regular basis. As I set out in my written ministerial statement of 21 May 2019 (HCWS1575), our obligations to veterans who have served in Northern Ireland remain the same as to those who served in other theatres, and I have agreed with the Northern Ireland Secretary that my Department will provide formal input to any process taken forward by the Northern Ireland Office resulting from the Stormont House Agreement.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4017", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Penny Mordaunt"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Penny Mordaunt"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-11T15:07:19.913Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterans: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Office on a resolution to the matter of the prosecution of army veterans who served in Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4117", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrea Leadsom"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Northamptonshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrea Leadsom"}
], "uin" : "274533"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126471", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126471/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to undertake a public consultation on legal protections measures for personnel deployed on operations overseas, including a statutory presumption against prosecution of current or former personnel for alleged offences committed in the course of duty abroad more than 10 years previously. Prosecutions in such circumstances would not be considered to be in the public interest, except in \u201cexceptional circumstances\u201d. The presumption measure would not apply to historical alleged offences in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Defence will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Secretary on the proposals for addressing Northern Ireland legacy issues. The MOD provides veterans, including those who served in Northern Ireland, who are subject to investigation and potential prosecution with legal, welfare and pastoral support.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "252557"}
, {"_value" : "252559"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-17T13:46:38.257Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterans: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans she has to bring forward legislative proposals to protect veterans accused of historic allegations relating to service in Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4024", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Marcus Jones"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nuneaton"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Marcus Jones"}
], "uin" : "254180"}
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}