Written questions by Easton.

If he will make a comparative assessment of the cost to the public purse for (a) inquiries and (b) legal proceedings relating to (i) the deaths of four men following the use of lethal force in County Tyrone in February 1992 and (ii) other lethal incidents involving the IRA from the same period.

The cost of public inquiries will differ according to the scope of each Inquiry. The cost of legal proceedings will also differ substantially according to the scope of each case. It is not therefore possible to provide an accurate comparative assessment of the cost to the public purse of those respective undertakings. The Northern Ireland Office’s spend on legal costs is included within our Annual Report and Accounts, although we do not differentiate between legal costs we incur and costs we pay to claimants’ lawyers. Costs for public inquiries are published by the Inquiries themselves.

If he will make it his policy to prevent payments to people who were interned in the 1970s.

Sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 have been found by the Northern Ireland courts to be incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations. The Government is committed to bringing forward new legacy legislation and as part of this we are looking at all conceivable options for addressing the complex issue of Interim Custody Orders and related compensation claims, in a lawful way.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that people in Northern Ireland who (a) have their vehicles damaged by stolen cars where the driver is not apprehended and (b) do not have comprehensive insurance are aware of their eligibility to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB); when the MIB took responsibility for compensating victims in these cases; and what steps he has taken to inform the public of this change.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) is an independent organisation within the motor industry and separate from the UK Government. The Northern Ireland Office has no role in decisions relating to the investigation and payment of claims, which are the responsibility of the MIB.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 18801 on European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill, whether he received legal advice on that Bill.

I refer the Honourable Member to the Secretary of State’s reply of 17 December 2024 to Question 18801.

Whether he received legal advice on the European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill.

I refer the Honourable Member to the reply I provided to the question he previously tabled on this subject and published on 17 December 2024 (UIN 18801).

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the EU General Product Safety Regulations on (a) businesses and (b) consumers in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) Great Britain; and what steps he is taking to mitigate that potential impact.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have in practice a limited impact overall. Where businesses need to make changes, many will be adapting anyway to be compliant with the new Regulation to continue trading with the EU.In addition to the guidance published on 3 December, the Government is continuing to engage with businesses to ensure the smooth flow of goods across the internal market.

If he will published the legal advice he received on the European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill.

The Government set out its position on the Bill during its Second Reading on 6 December 2024. Legal advice provided to the Government is privileged.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the (a) Windsor Framework and (b) Northern Ireland Protocol on businesses in North Down constituency; and what steps his Department is taking to help support those businesses.

The Government is committed to the Windsor Framework and to protecting the UK internal market. The Framework guarantees unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the UK market on a permanent basis. The Windsor Framework also provides a long-term basis for traders to do business, with over 9,000 firms signed up to the UK Internal Market Scheme and many taking advantage of the support provided by the Trader Support Service. Traders will benefit further when the UK internal market system is implemented in the New Year. The Government will continue to work constructively with stakeholders to ensure that the arrangements set out under the Windsor Framework work well for businesses and people.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that businesses in Northern Ireland receive the same rate relief support as their counterparts in other regions of the United Kingdom, including the recent 40% rate relief scheme announced for high street businesses in England.

Business relief support is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. The Northern Ireland Executive’s Spending Review settlement for 2025-26 is the largest in real terms of any settlement since devolution.The Northern Ireland Executive is receiving £18.2 billion in 2025-26, including an additional £1.5 billion through the operation of the Barnett formula and £760 million targeted funding, with £670 million resource and £90 million capital, including for the 2024 restoration financial package, historic funding packages, and additional security funding.It is for the Executive to allocate this record funding in a way that delivers effective public services and provides better outcomes for people.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle violence against women in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the Strategy for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.

The UK Government welcomes the launch of the Strategic Framework to End Violence against Women and Girls by The Northern Ireland Executive. This Government is seeking to tackle violence against women and girls across the United Kingdom and will support the NI Executive to implement and deliver this strategic framework fully.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the public inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane.

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.

Whether he plans to take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide (a) financial and (b) other support for Harland and Wolff’s Belfast shipyard.

Following a comprehensive assessment of the company’s financial profile and the criteria set out in UK Government risk policies, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade confirmed in a Written Ministerial Statement on 22 July that the UK Government had decided not to proceed with the provision of an Export Development Guarantee to Harland and Wolff. This was not an easy decision, but we concluded that the market is best placed to resolve these commercial matters. Government funding would not necessarily secure our objectives, and there is a risk that taxpayer money would be lost. We want to see an outcome for Harland and Wolff that delivers shipbuilding and fabrication in Northern Ireland and protects jobs, and we encourage all parties to engage with trade unions before further decisions are made.