Speeches by Benn.

“When they introduced immunity, the previous Government said that it would apply not just to veterans but to others, including terrorists, and that is what the legislation did in those circumstances. There are provisions that apply to witnesses, but the reason for the package is the determination of the Government to pr…”

“I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said. I spoke yesterday to the victims’ commissioner in Northern Ireland. On 19 September when the framework was published, the Tánaiste and I met the victims and survivors forum in Northern Ireland and explained what the framework seeks to do. I made a commitment to the …”

“I suppose I should take that praise from the right hon. Gentleman at face value. The fact is that sections 46 and 47 were found to be incompatible, but I have listened, and I hope Members of the House will find me willing to listen. I must, however, correct him, because when it comes to the immunity provisions, they we…”

“The hon. Gentleman has spoken before most powerfully and movingly about the impact that the death of family members has had upon him. He exemplifies, if I may say so, what so many people in Northern Ireland say when they meet us and talk to us: some will open up and some will weep, and some will not be able to open the…”

“I will write to the hon. Gentleman in response to his last question, if I may. What the hon. Member describes is exactly what the commission is there to do. I am making a number of changes in the commission to create greater confidence on the part of families to come forward. I have great respect for Sir Declan Morgan …”

“I would say two things to right hon. Gentleman. First, I would not be quite so light with the importance of that commitment to allow our veterans to give evidence remotely. The Minister for the Armed Forces and I have both spoken to veterans for whom having to go back to Northern Ireland would bring back memories that …”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for the role he played as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Northern Ireland. The truth is that with the passage of time, the possibility of prosecution becomes increasingly remote. We all know that to be the case. Most of the families I have met—not all, but most—have said, “I know that no o…”

“Yes, I have already said that to the Committee.”

“The Government’s approach includes support that we are going to provide veterans. Some 250,000 people served in Operation Banner with great distinction in the most difficult circumstances. A large number of them were killed. They were there to try to keep people safe. You are right. The Clonoe inquest verdict in partic…”

“I absolutely understand the concerns that the veterans have. First of all, they were offered immunity that was never going to be capable of being delivered. It was never commenced by the last Government, despite their having put it in the legacy Act. It was then found to be incompatible with our human rights obligation…”

“I recognise the pressures on all Governments in the current circumstances all around the world. Northern Ireland receives 24% additional funding compared to England. It is slightly above 24%. That is a record settlement for a three-year spending review. In a separate context, I have always said that all Governments als…”

“Funding had already been identified within Northern Ireland for those cases. I grant you that funding had not been identified in relation to the 20 that the Attorney General for Northern Ireland referred in just before the deadline when the portcullis came down. What happens to those will be subject to the process, whi…”

“The first thing I would say is that funding was identified—that is my clear understanding—within the Northern Ireland Executive for the five-year programme. Has that been taken away? The funding was identified from within Northern Ireland’s resources, and therefore I would presume it is still available for the cases th…”

“When the five-year plan was put in place by Declan Morgan before he became involved in leading ICRIR, funding was identified for those inquests. If funding was identified for those inquests, it is there. Going back to Mr Robertson’s question, how it will pan out in respect of the other inquests depends on the outcome o…”

“People have already had a chance to see the shape of that and it was considered by the Joint Committee on Human Rights. Other people have commented upon it. It is my intention to lay the draft remedial order, which is the second part of the process, at the same time as the draft legislation is published.”

“Indeed, yes. There is great merit in laying out the whole picture at one moment. That is why I am telling the Committee that it is my intention to lay the draft remedial order. I have published the proposed draft remedial order. I did that in December or January.”

“It is my intention to lay it alongside the draft legislation. We have been giving careful consideration to the Joint Committee on Human Rights.”

“Yes, the reason for that was that you can only use a remedial order if you are not appealing any aspect of the judgment relating to that item. I may have explained this previously to the Committee and I certainly explained it to the House in December last year. As I have said to the House, in respect of the judgment of…”

“I answered the first part of your question in answer to Mr Robinson when I said that those that had started and were terminated by the portcullis coming down under the legacy Act will be reinstated. As for the rest, we are giving consideration to what the most effective means is of taking those forward and what part se…”

“I will take that with alacrity. Thank you.”