Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee comments on the passing of the Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland Bill
5 November 2019
The Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has commented on the passing of Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland Bill, which will receive Royal Assent in the House of Commons today.
The Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland Bill will finally be granted Royal Assent in the Chamber, the day before Parliament dissolves for the upcoming General Election. Last week the Chair wrote to the Prime Minister to emphasise the importance of not letting this Bill fall before dissolution, as campaigners had been calling for compensation for survivors since the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry ended in 2017.
Chair's comments
The Chair, Simon Hoare MP, said:
"I am delighted to see that the Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland Bill has finally passed all stages and been granted Royal Assent.
Last week I wrote to the Prime Minister to express the strong concerns of the Committee that the bill would fall before dissolution, which would have been a gross injustice to those who had fought so hard for survivors to be given the compensation and support they deserve after all these years.
I am glad to see that our concerns were listened to and that the Government granted time today to ensure that this Bill passed before Parliament dissolves.
I hope that today provides some comfort for survivors, as I believe the passing of the Bill marks an important step toward justice for those who have been ignored for far too long."
Further information
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