Contributions
920 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Trauma VictimsThe noble Lord has been a passionate advocate on behalf of those who have suffered in the Troubles. I had an extraordinary experience in meeting some of the victims. The victims’…27 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Trauma VictimsThe noble Baroness raises an important point. We have begun those cross-party discussions already; the noble Lord, Lord Hain, has been instrumental in bringing together a number…27 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Trauma VictimsThe noble Lord brings to our attention something quite shocking to contemplate. It is important that the Government recognise that we should do something about this. I shall…27 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Trauma VictimsMy noble friend makes an important point. He reminds us again that one of the issues drawn to our attention by the victims’ commissioner is how pension rights should be…27 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Trauma VictimsMy noble friend raises an important point, but if we begin to try to parse the individuals themselves into different categories we will ultimately slow down the entire process. We…27 Jun 2019HANSARDVictims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modification) Order 2019That the draft Order laid before the House on 16 May be approved.26 Jun 2019HANSARDVictims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modification) Order 2019My Lords, this order is necessitated by the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014. Through this Act, the Scottish Government sought to improve the information and support…26 Jun 2019HANSARDVictims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modification) Order 2019My Lords, this is one of these rather interesting areas in which I seem to be called on to explain the inscrutable workings of the Scottish Government, which I am unfortunately…26 Jun 2019HANSARDVictims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modification) Order 2019Again, the noble and learned Lord asks a question to which I am afraid I do not have an adequate answer in terms of an interim approach to this. Scotland has two Governments, and…26 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksNo stone will be left unturned in the effort to secure a restored Executive. The talks going on now are conducted in the most positive of times. It is important that, during this…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksWe are now six weeks into talks aimed at restoring power-sharing, devolved government. The issues on which the parties are focusing include language, identity and sustainability.…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksThe noble Baroness raises several points. The important thing to stress is that the resolution of this issue rests not in London but in Belfast between those parties. The Prime…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksThe noble Lord is right to raise the sad death of Lyra McKee. I think that has added momentum and impetus to the current talks and it would be a betrayal of all she stood for if…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksThe noble Lord is absolutely right: it must be balanced, fair and, importantly, sustainable.20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksMy noble friend raises points he has raised in the past. It is important to stress that we are witnessing, I hope, a progressive step, out of which will emerge resolution of the…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksThe noble Lord raises a question to which I do not have the answer, but when I have it I will ensure that he and the rest of the House know exactly when the report will be…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksMy answer is categorically no. Unity is not in question; unity is not in doubt. Matters in Northern Ireland must be resolved by the parties in Northern Ireland. Only they can…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Inter-party TalksMy noble friend raises two points. On the first, it is important to strike the right language. This is a positive time in the talks; I believe that progress is being made. It…20 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Historical Institutional Abuse InquiryThe head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service wrote to the Secretary of State on 2 May, providing her with the historical institutional abuse consultation report, draft…13 Jun 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Historical Institutional Abuse InquiryWe can afford no more delays, so the moment we have this material here, we will move it forward quickly. We will see that justice is served and redress is achieved.13 Jun 2019