The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2014-06-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many paramilitary prisoners were released on licence after the Belfast Agreement of 1998.
Baroness Randerson
Northern Ireland Office officials are currently undertaking a consolidation exercise with officials in the Northern Ireland Prison Service to confirm the answer to this question. I will write to the Noble Lord once this exercise has been completed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 10 February (HL4725) relating to invitations to a briefing on 3 February about Northern Ireland, if such invitations were delivered why Lord Laird did not receive such communication; and why Lord Maginnis of Drumglass was invited only when he complained to the Northern Ireland Office; and whether they will supply a complete answer to the original question and list those Members of the House of Lords who were invited and explain why the question was not answered in full.
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Invitations to the briefing for Peers on 3 February were delivered to the House of Lords by a Northern Ireland Office official on 23rd January.
Invitations were issued to the following Peers, including Lord Laird and Lord Maginnis of Drumglass:
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The Lord Alderdice |
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Rt Rev the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells |
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The Lord Bew |
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The Baroness Blood MBE |
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Rt Hon the Lord Brooke of Sutton Mandeville CH |
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The Viscount Brookeborough DL |
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The Lord Browne of Belmont |
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Rt Hon the Lord Browne of Ladyton |
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Rt Hon the Lord Carswell |
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Rt Hon the Lord Cope of Berkeley |
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The Baroness Crawley |
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The Lord Dubs |
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Rt Rev the Lord Eames OM |
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The Lord Empey |
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The Lord Feldman of Frognal |
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The Lord German OBE |
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The Lord Glentoran CBE DL |
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The Baroness Harris of Richmond DL |
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The Lord Hay of Ballyore |
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The Baroness Healy of Primrose Hill |
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The Lord Hylton |
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Rt Hon the Lord Kilclooney |
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The Lord King of Bridgwater |
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The Lord Laird |
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The Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC |
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The Lord Lexden |
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The Lord Lyell DL |
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The Lord Maginnis of Drumglass |
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The Lord McAvoy |
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Rt Hon the Lord Mawhinney |
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Rt Hon the Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC DL |
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The Lord Morrow |
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The Baroness O’Cathain OBE |
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The Baroness O’Loan DBE |
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The Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve CBE FBA |
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The Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale |
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General the Lord Ramsbotham GCB CBE |
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Rt Hon the Lord Reid of Cardowan |
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The Lord Rogan |
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Rt Hon the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon |
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The Lord Shutt of Greetland |
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Rt Hon the Baroness Smith of Basildon |
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Professor the Lord Smith of Clifton |
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Rt Hon the Lord Tebbit CH |
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The Lord Temple-Morris |
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Rt Hon the Lord Trimble |
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The Lord Willis of Knaresborough The list has been compiled of Peers known to be from Northern Ireland or who have shown an interest in its affairs, primarily through Parliamentary business or correspondence. Any Peers not included on this list who have an interest in Northern Ireland Affairs are invited to contact the Northern Ireland Office to be added to future invitations. |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many officials work in each section of the Northern Ireland Office.
Baroness Randerson
The number of staff working in each business group of the Northern Ireland Office in January 2015, the latest period for which figures are available, is shown below:
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Business Group |
Number of Staff |
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Senior Management |
6 |
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Business Delivery |
40 |
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Security and Protection |
31 |
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Legacy |
23 |
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Community Engagement |
15 |
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Economic Constitutional and Political |
19 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 10 February (HL4487), concerning the state of human rights in the Republic of Ireland, what steps they have taken to ascertain that the government of the Republic of Ireland is and has been carrying out those sections of the Belfast Agreement to which it agreed in 1998.
Baroness Randerson
I have nothing to add to my previous answer of 10 February to the Noble Lord.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-09-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the amount of each year’s budget for the Northern Ireland Parades Commission since its establishment.
Lord Dunlop
The Parades Commission is responsible for the management of its own budget and, in line with the Public Processions Act (NI) 1998, it is also responsible for the publication of its Annual Report and Accounts. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for ensuring that the annual report is laid in Parliament. The total expenditure for the Parades Commission for each year since its establishment in 1998 is listed below:
Financial Year (£000s)
2015/16 810 (projected)
2014/15 969
2013/14 916
2012/13 1,373
2011/12 958
2010/11 1,023
2009/10 1,032
2008/09 1,130
2007/08 1,062
2006/07 1,740
2005/06 1,460
2004/05 1,166
2003/04 1,292
2002/03 1,296
2001/02 1,308
2000/01 1,138
1999/2000 1,055
1998/99 1,147
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-09-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed, or plan to discuss, with the Northern Ireland Parades Commission the case for making public, along with each decision it makes, (1) a full disclosure of evidence received, including from whom it was received, and (2) all other factors involved in the Commission’s determination; and if not, why not.
Lord Dunlop
This Government has had no discussions with the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland regarding the disclosure of evidence received, or on any other factors which are into account when making determinations.
This is an operational matter for the Commission acting independently of Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2014-06-04.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether lump sum retiring allowances in public sector pension schemes and the equivalent in private pension schemes including annuity payments and pension commencement lump sums are taxable; if so, whether they are taxed in the same way; and what are their proposals for taxing lump sum payments under the new pension arrangements announced in the Queen’s Speech.
Lord Deighton
At retirement individuals have the option of taking up to 25 per cent of their pension fund as a tax free pension commencement lump sum.
Individuals at retirement can also take their pension pot as a lump sum:
· If their total pension pots under all the schemes they belong to are worth £30,000 or less
· Under certain circumstances, one of their pension pots is worth £10,000 or less
25 percent would be tax free with the rest being taxed at the individual’s marginal rate.
These rules apply to all registered pension schemes and therefore apply to both defined benefit and defined contribution pensions and to both private and public sector schemes.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2014-06-04.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current membership and remit of the Migration Advisory Committee; on what criteria they appoint its members; and whether they have plans to review those criteria and its remit with a view to tasking the Committee with examining immigration and its impact in the round.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is comprised of economists and migration experts who serve as a chair and committee members. They are appointed to support the remit of the Committee, which is to provide independent and evidence-based advice to the Government on migration issues. Professor Sir David Metcalf is the Chair and is supported by 4 members; Dr Martin Ruhs, Professor Jonathan Wadsworth, Dr Jennifer Smith and Professor Jackline Wahba.
Lesley Giles of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and John Thompson, the Director of Immigration Policy in the Home Office, also sit on the Committee as ex-officio members.
The Chair and Committee members are public appointments made in line with guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The current criteria for membership are:
Essential criteria
* Expertise in economics, preferably labour markets.
* Quantitative analytical skills.
* Strong written skills – experience of producing evidence based reports.
* Building effective working relationships with a wide range of groups.
Desirable criteria
* Ability to work as part of a team.
* Knowledge of non-UK migration data and policies.
There are no plans to change or review the remit or the criteria for
appointment to the MAC.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2014-06-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what searches have been undertaken to find the missing files on pre-1998 Northern Ireland royal prerogative of mercy cases; how many are absent; where the paperwork would normally be filed; and whether such paperwork is passed to the National Archives on a routine basis after 30 years.
Baroness Randerson
Before 1998, the use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM) in Northern Ireland was relatively common since this pre-dated a number of statutory schemes which enabled sentences to be shortened for various reasons, for example where evidence had been given by prisoners to enable others to be convicted. The overwhelming majority of RPM cases during this period were not terrorist-related.
The Northern Ireland Office continues to seek information on the use of the RPM between 1987 and 1997, including through contacts with other parts of Government which might hold relevant information.
The NIO takes its records management responsibilities seriously and is compliant with all public records legislation and National Archives guidance. This includes routine reviews of records, compliance with records disposal schedules and transfers of records at 30 years to the National Archives.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2014-06-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to review electoral law in Northern Ireland in relation to postal voting; what are the major differences from the law in England; and whether they have any plans to enable those over 80 years of age, on application and verification, to have automatic permanent postal votes.
Baroness Randerson
The system of postal voting in Northern Ireland is kept under regular review, both by the Government and the Chief Electoral Officer and Electoral Commission. Legislative amendments will be brought forward shortly with the introduction of anonymous registration which will permit electors with an anonymous entry on the electoral register to vote by post. These provisions will come into force on 15 September 2014.
Postal votes are issued to electors in Northern Ireland who are unable to vote in person at their polling station on Election Day as a result of certain specified conditions. These conditions relate to disability, work or study circumstances. This is different to Great Britain where postal voting is offered on demand and electors are not required to provide a reason for why they are unable to vote in person.
There are no plans to enable those over 80 years of age to have automatic permanent postal votes. However, permanent postal votes are available to all electors who are unable to attend their polling station on a permanent or long-term basis on the grounds of disability; their (or their husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) work; or their (or their husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s) studies.