HL Deb 30 April 2002 vol 634 cc86-8WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about the creation of a fund to assist in particular children and young people affected by the death or injury of a parent has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been. [HL3709]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The Government have funded various projects aimed at meeting the needs of children and young people affected by the Troubles. These include:

£700,000 for the establishment of the Family Trauma Centre which provides a specialist service for the psychological assessment and treatment of children and their families suffering from trauma;

£300,000 for an education bursary pilot scheme which was launched to provide educational bursaries to children and young people whose education has been adversely affected by the Troubles;

Establishment of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund. The fund is an independent charity which provides practical help and support to individuals and families that have suffered as a result of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The Government have committed £5 million to the fund at the rate of £1 million per year from 1998–2003. The fund has put in place a number of schemes. Those of a particular benefit to children and young people are:

The Respite Break Scheme. This provides individuals and families with short breaks away from their usual surroundings, responsibilities and commitments.

The Education and Training Scheme. This provides grant assistance to children and adults whose education or vocation has been affected by their experiences. It enables them access to education and training opportunities to help them to realise their ambitions and improve their employment prospects.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about the possibility of supporting efforts towards peace and reconciliation originating in Great Britain has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been. [HL3710]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

In July 2001 the Victims Minister, Des Browne, announced the allocation of £500,000 for initiatives aimed at supporting victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles who live in Great Britain.

£250,00 of this funding has been allocated to the Legacy Project, an initiative of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust. The project, which is based in Warrington, will develop a programme of work to identify and meet the needs of these victims who include those affected by Troubles-related terrorist attacks on the mainland; military personnel who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and their families; and, people from Northern Ireland who have been exiled to GB by paramilitary groups. Initially the project will seek to identify best methods for accessing victims and to carry out a needs analysis and, as work progresses, will develop networks and links with voluntary and statutory agencies in Northern Ireland.

No decision has yet been made on the allocation of the remaining £250,000, but as the work of the Legacy Project develops, further areas where funding is needed may be identified.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about the designation of "Memorial and Reconciliation Day", if and when the churches consider it appropriate, has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been. [HL3711]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Following publication of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's reportWe Will Remember Them, the Victims Liaison Unit consulted with the leaders of the Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Northern Ireland on the report's recommendations.

It was concluded that the time was not yet appropriate to take forward the recommendation of a memorial and reconciliation day.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about a Northern Ireland memorial in the form of a beautiful and useful building within a peaceful and harmonious garden has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been. [HL3712]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Following publication of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's reportWe Will Remember Them, the Victims Liaison Unit, set up to take forward the report's recommendations, engaged in a wide consultation exercise with victims and victims' groups throughout Northern Ireland. The findings of the consultation were that there are mixed views in the community regarding a memorial. Some victims have deep feelings about sharing memorials with other members of the victims' community. It was concluded that the time was not yet appropriate for the establishment of such a memorial.