Documents to download

The Asset Freezing (Compensation) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist). The Bill received its first reading in the House of Lords on 23 May 2016, and is scheduled to receive its second reading on 10 June 2016. The Bill seeks to make provisions enabling the Government to use frozen assets that are owned by persons involved in supplying terrorist organisations in the UK to compensate UK citizens who are victims of those organisations.

For a number of years, the victims of IRA attacks carried out using materials supplied by the former Gaddafi regime have been seeking compensation. The House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is currently investigating the role of the UK Government in seeking compensation for the victims of such attacks. In addition, a Westminster Hall debate held on 23 February 2016 considered the issue of whether Gaddafi’s frozen assets could be used to compensate the victims of the IRA Canary Wharf bombing in 1996.

Documents to download

Related posts

  • British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2026–27

    The British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party). The bill would restrict any cession or transfer of sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) unless certain requirements were met, including the consent of the Chagossian people and an act of parliament. It would also see the UK remain sovereign over the military base on Diego Garcia.

    British Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2026–27

  • Health Bill: HL Bill 52 of 2026–27

    The Health Bill is intended to make changes to the NHS in England, including abolishing NHS England. It would also abolish Healthwatch and move the Heath Services Safety Inspectorate Board into the CQC. The bill would establish a single patient record, making patient data available across healthcare settings and directly to patients. In the House of Commons, amendments were made on visiting patients, medicines and medical devices regulation, and pharmaceutical services.

    Health Bill: HL Bill 52 of 2026–27

  • Genocide Determination Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2026–27

    The bill would enable the High Court in England and Wales, the Court of Session in Scotland and the High Court in Northern Ireland, to make preliminary determinations on whether a genocide is occurring overseas, or if there is deemed to be a serious risk of one occurring. The bill would require the government to refer the preliminary determination to international bodies such as the International Court of Justice.

    Genocide Determination Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2026–27