James Sunderland asks the Northern Ireland Secretary to confirm that the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill will ensure that protagonists engage fully with the truth and reconciliation process.
Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill
James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
6. What steps his Department is taking to engage with stakeholders on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. (902747)
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)
On the Bill’s Second Reading in the other place, the Government announced their intention to introduce amendments in a number of key areas. These proposed changes reflect what we have heard from the significant engagement that has taken place with victims and survivors and their representatives, as well as community leaders and other stakeholders. As the Bill continues its passage, the Government will continue to engage constructively with all interested parties on their concerns, and how they might be addressed.
James Sunderland
Can the Secretary of State please confirm that the legacy Bill will be tightened up before it returns to this place, notably in respect of making sure that protagonists engage fully with the truth and reconciliation process, not assuming moral equivalence and the language of glorification?
Chris Heaton-Harris
I can give my hon. Friend assurances of that type. That is why we proposed the changes set out by my ministerial colleague on Second Reading in the other place, which include sanctions for those who refuse to co-operate with or wilfully mislead the information recovery process. We will continue to engage on those and other potential changes, and I assure him that we will do that before the Bill returns to the House.