Written questions by Burghart.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, what progress his Department has made on establishing a UK Internal Market Guarantee.

The UK Internal Market Guarantee will apply to the operation of the UK internal market system when it is given effect next year. As envisaged in the Command Paper, this will be overseen by the Independent Monitoring Panel, the appointments to which were confirmed on 19 September with preparatory work for its operation underway.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 7835 on Terrorism: Northern Ireland, if he will publish details of all requests for public inquiries that he has considered.

I do not intend to publish details of the requests I receive for public inquiries. I have written to those whose requests I have recently considered.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024, what progress his Department has made on the implementation of the measures set out in paragraph 43.

The Government is committed to taking all steps necessary to protect the UK internal market. We continue to make significant progress on measures set out in paragraph 43 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper. Recent progress includes confirmation of the appointment of Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee as Chair of Intertrade UK; the establishment of the Independent Monitoring Panel; and statutory guidance to public authorities on how they should ensure they have special regard to Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2024 to Question 5643 on Terrorism: Northern Ireland, how many requests for public inquiries he is considering.

I have recently considered several requests for public inquiries and decided to ask all the families involved to get in touch with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The Government will consider any further requests on a case-by-case basis.

Whether he plans to appeal against the judgment of the Belfast Court of Appeal in the challenge to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, delivered on 20 September 2024.

On 7 October 2024, I laid a Written Ministerial Statement in Parliament providing the Government’s initial response to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal’s judgment in Dillon & Others. The statement can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-10-07/hcws108. This is a complex and wide-ranging judgment with significant implications. The Government is therefore carefully considering its findings to inform a decision on the way forward.

With reference to his oral statement of 11 September 2024 on Patrick Finucane Murder, Official Report, columns 841-3, whether he is considering other requests for public inquiries into incidents from the Troubles.

The Government considers all requests for public inquiries on a case-by-case basis.As I outlined in my oral statement of 11 September 2024, there are exceptional reasons why I have decided to establish an inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane.

With reference to his oral statement of 11 September 2024 on Patrick Finucane Murder, Official Report, columns 842-3, when he plans to (a) appoint a chair of the inquiry and (b) have agreed terms of reference; and what steps he is taking to avoid unnecessary costs.

The Government will follow due process under the Inquiries Act 2005 in establishing the inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. This will include the appointment of the Inquiry Chair and consulting him on the Terms of Reference.As outlined in my oral statement of 11 September 2024, I have considered the likely costs and impact on the public finances. It is the Government’s expectation that the inquiry will - while doing everything that is required to discharge the State’s human rights obligations - avoid unnecessary costs given all the previous reviews and investigations and the large amount of information and material that is already in the public domain.

With reference to his speech of 7 September 2024, entitled A new chapter in the UK-Ireland relationship, when he plans to set out his plans to increase the independence of the Independent Commission on Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

The High Court found the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to be independent and capable of conducting human rights compliant investigations. The recent Court of Appeal judgment also recognised the structural independence of the ICRIR, while making declarations of incompatibility with the ECHR which the government is currently considering. I have committed to exploring measures to further strengthen the ICRIR’s independence, and am consulting widely, including with victims, survivors and families, on a practical way forward that can command the broadest support.

What recent progress the Expert Advisory Panel for Public History of British Policy During the Northern Ireland Conflict has made.

The advisory panel continues to work under the published terms of reference. I was pleased to meet with the panel on 17 September to discuss details of the project.