AQO 990/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 15/10/2020
Answered On Date: 02/11/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the planned provisions in the Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill relating to human trafficking and modern slavery.

Answer:

I plan to make two minor amendments to the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, through the Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

The first amendment will remove the statutory requirement to publish an annual strategy, moving instead to a three year strategy; and the second will extend the provision of assistance and support to potential victims of slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour.

The consultation on the proposed amendments closed on 1 September, with respondents supportive of both.

The Justice Committee noted the results of the consultation on 8 October, and on 23 October I wrote to advise Executive colleagues that I plan to include both amendments in the forthcoming Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.