Tag: Lord Laird

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions a non-statutory public inquiry has been instigated into the death of a single individual under section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988 at a time when that individual had not been the subject of a full coroner’s inquest; who were those individuals; why they were referred for a public inquiry in each case; and on which dates they were referred.

Lord Faulks

A coroner’s inquest was not completed into the deaths of the following individuals:

Victoria Climbié, Robert Hamill, Dr David Kelly, Alexander Litvinenko, Baha Mousa, Zahid Mubarek, Rosemary Nelson and Azelle Rodney.

The only occasion when an inquest has been adjourned under section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988 because a non-statutory inquiry was to be held was following the death of Dr David Kelly. The Lord Chancellor established an inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death on 18 July 2003, the day that Dr Kelly’s body was found.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-12-01.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 25 November (HL3646), on what dates over the last 24 months the government of the Republic of Ireland attended in any capacity meetings held under section 1 of the 1998 Belfast Agreement; where the meetings were held; and what was discussed.

Lord Dunlop

The Government has held regular meetings with the Irish Government over the last two years. The Irish Government has not been in any negotiations or been involved in discussions about Strand one issues under the Belfast Agreement. As the Government set out in its Northern Ireland manifesto at the election, we are committed to upholding the well-established three-stranded approach.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-12.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Dunlop on 27 November (HL3723), 8 December (HL4130) and 23 December 2015 (HL4429), why they have not answered specifically about how parity of esteem applies to security personnel, as requested.

Lord Dunlop

As I have made clear in previous answers on this subject the UK Government is committed to affording due respect and parity of esteem to all the people in Northern Ireland as underpinned by the 1998 Belfast Agreement, and in accordance with the obligations on the Government to promote equality and prevent discrimination across the United Kingdom.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-01-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation they have had with community groups, organisations, and individuals to assess whether the policy of parity of esteem set out in the Belfast Agreement 1998 is working effectively, and what action they have taken as a result.

Lord Dunlop

I have nothing further to add to my earlier responses on parity of esteem.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-02-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions information has been requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 concerning meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat set up as a result of the Belfast Agreement 1998; whether each request was granted, and if not, why not.

Lord Dunlop

The Northern Ireland Office has not received any Freedom of Information requests concerning meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat set up as a result of the Belfast Agreement 1998.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-02-24.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have an agreement or understanding with Sinn Fein (1) not to bring to court republicans on charges relating to tax fraud in South Armagh, or (2) to bring to court members of the Army who were on duty on Bloody Sunday and who now live in Great Britain.

Lord Keen of Elie

The government does not have any such agreements or understandings in place with Sinn Fein.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-05-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the concept of parity of esteem as outlined in the Belfast Agreement 1998 applies to security service people who have a residence elsewhere but are, or were, resident in Northern Ireland for a period.

Lord Dunlop

This Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as placing a general obligation on the UK Government to treat people of different traditions in Northern Ireland fairly and with equal respect. In the Agreement it is clearly expressed and defined in relation to people living in Northern Ireland.

As a general obligation there is no definition of particular circumstances in which it does or does not apply.

As I have set out in previous replies to the Noble Lord, this Government is firm in its commitment to the protection of people against any form of discrimination, and the promotion of opportunity for all, across the whole of our United Kingdom.

In respect of the Noble Lord’s question about those who might march wearing army uniforms but who are not members of an army, the concept of parity of esteem clearly does not absolve people from upholding the law. This Government has made clear many times that we will never accept any form of equivalence between members of the security forces and those who engage in terrorism or other forms of paramilitary activity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-10-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what way the Northern Ireland Parades Commission meets international treaty obligations on human rights.

Lord Dunlop

The duties and functions of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission are set out in the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. The Act is compliant with international treaty obligations on human rights.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-11-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 29 October (HL2879) concerning the 1998 Belfast Agreement, whether the answer applies to changes in the names of cities and towns in Northern Ireland other than Londonderry.

Lord Dunlop

The Government has no plans to change any names of towns or cities in Northern Ireland, and would only do so with consensus. It remains fully committed to supporting the institutions and principles established under the Belfast Agreement and to affording due respect to the cultural traditions in Northern Ireland.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2015-12-01.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 24 November (HL3723 and HL3752), whether the answer includes all security service personnel who served in Northern Ireland.

Lord Dunlop

I have nothing further to add to my earlier response of 27 November 2015 (HL3723 and HL3752).