Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1135693

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	China: Prisoners
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Final Judgment of the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting, published on 17 June; and what actions they plan to take in response to that Judgment.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL16786
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>We have noted the recent report by the pressure group “The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China”. Officials attended public hearings organised by the group, and its report is one of a number of sources of information that we are taking into account when considering this issue.</p><p>If true, the practice of systematic, state-sponsored organ harvesting would be truly horrifying. As such, we continue to monitor the allegations and consider carefully all evidence presented on this issue. We have also recently consulted the World Health Organization in both Geneva and Beijing. Their view is that China is implementing an ethical, voluntary organ transplant system in accordance with international standards, though they do have concerns about overall transparency.</p><p>There is credible evidence that practitioners of Falun Gong are subjected to serious mistreatment. We regularly raise concerns with China, including on the extensive use of the death penalty and the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities. We continue to keep this issue under review.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/07/2019 14:45:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1135694

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	China: Uyghurs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of China on the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China; and what plans they have to ensure that the human rights of Uighur Muslims are protected.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL16787
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>We have serious concerns about the situation in Xinjiang, where there are credible reports of over a million Uyghurs and other minorities being detained in so-called “re-education camps&quot;.</p><p>Ministers and senior officials frequently raise the human rights issues in the region with their Chinese counterparts. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our concerns with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his most recent visit to China in July 2018. Later that month, the Minister for Asia &amp; the Pacific did the same with his Chinese counterpart Vice Minister Guo Yezhou. Additionally, our Embassy in Beijing regularly raises the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang with the Chinese authorities.</p><p>Further, we spoke publicly about the situation in the region at the 40th UN Human Rights Council in February and March 2019. I raised our concerns during my opening address on 25 February, and the UK spoke about Xinjiang during our “Item 4” national statement on 12 March. Following this, we co-sponsored a side event on “Protecting the fundamental freedoms in Xinjiang” on 13 March which helped to raise awareness of the situation among the international community.</p><p>Moreover, in our statement at China’s Universal Periodic Review on 6 November 2018, we made clear our concern about the treatment of Uyghurs in China. The UK issued a specific recommendation to China that it implements the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s recommendations on Xinjiang and allows the UN to monitor the implementation.</p><p>We will continue to raise the human rights situation in Xinjiang with the Chinese Government at all levels bilaterally and in appropriate UN fora, including the Human Rights Council.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 08/07/2019 15:32:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1135695

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Middle East: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the recent statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 24 June, what plans they have to repatriate the children of British citizens now held in Iraq and Syria as a result of their parents' involvement with Daesh.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
uin	HL16788
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The situation that young children are facing in north-east Syria through no fault of their own is tragic. The UK has no consular presence within Syria from which to provide assistance to British Nationals there. This makes it difficult to help but we look at every single case where we are asked for consular assistance. We are not aware of any British children in camps in Iraq.</p><p>Our advice to any British national abroad who needs emergency help from the British Government is to contact the nearest British Embassy or Consulate, which in this case will be outside Syria. If a minor is unable to do so, those with parental responsibility can make the request on their behalf. British nationals can also call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The number is clearly advertised on FCO Travel Advice pages.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/07/2019 14:49:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

1135696

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria: Military Intervention
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 17 June (HL15998), whether Coalition forces and their partners were involved in the attacks on unarmed Syrian barges on 31 May; and if so, why.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL16789
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>We have seen no evidence that Global Coalition forces or their partners were involved in attacks on unarmed Syrian barges on 31 May.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 10/07/2019 11:25:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1135697

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria: Islamic State
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any armed groups are being protected by the Global Coalition Against Daesh in the Al Tanf enclave; if so, what are the ideological orientations of  each of those groups; and whether any such groups have any connection to Daesh.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL16790
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The sole purpose of the Global Coalition is to degrade and defeat Daesh. The Global Coalition does not and will not protect groups with any connection to Daesh. It is understood that the US provides support to local armed group Maghaweir al-Thowra in the Al Tanf Deconfliction Zone. It is not for the UK to comment on the nature or detail of the US' support.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 10/07/2019 11:26:14 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1135698

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria: Islamic State
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that a number of families that include Daesh members were recently released from the Al Hawl holding camp controlled by the Global Coalition Against Daesh; and whether any such families were allowed to pass into the Al Tanf enclave.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL16791
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>​The Global Coalition does not control al Hol displaced persons camp. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), partners of the Global Coalition, provide security to the camp. We are aware that some Syrians have left al Hol camp for areas of Syria under SDF-control, including Raqqa and Deir-ez-Zour, in a process managed by the SDF and local community leaders. We are not aware of any Syrians leaving al Hol for the al Tanf Deconfliction Zone.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 10/07/2019 11:27:18 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1135699

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Xylella
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific measures they are taking to prevent the introduction to the UK of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa via the import of infected host plants.
tabling member printed	Baroness D'Souza
uin	HL16792
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2019 answer text <p><em>Xylella fastidiosa</em> is currently not present in the UK but we are taking a lead in the EU to tighten import and movement controls to protect the country against its introduction.</p><p>We supplement EU measures with national legislation requiring notification of certain imports, allowing the Animal and Plant Health Agency to build intelligence about such trades and carry out targeted inspections. The notification requirements were strengthened in 2018 through the inclusion of olive trees, following an interception in Belgium of <em>Xylella</em> on olive trees imported from Spain.</p><p>We have also successfully pressed the case for stronger requirements at an EU level against certain high risk hosts for this disease, with supplementary measures also now in place against <em>Polygala myrtifolia</em>. Under the leadership of Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Nicola Spence, we are continuously reviewing new developments to determine whether additional measures are required.</p><p>We have a surveillance programme in place targeting imports and businesses trading in hosts from within the EU, as well as inspections in the wider environment.</p><p>We are also taking action with UK industry to raise awareness, resulting in nurseries and garden centres committing not to bring <em>Xylella</em> host plants into the UK from EU regions where the disease is present, and employing careful sourcing, traceability and good hygiene measures.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 05/07/2019 11:43:25 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	3709 label Biography information for Baroness D'Souza

1135700

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Married People: Tax Allowances
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people claimed the Marriage Allowance in the 2018–19 financial year; and what steps they are taking to increase the uptake of that allowance.
tabling member printed	Baroness Eaton
uin	HL16793
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Marriage Allowance was introduced in April 2015 to recognise the importance of marriage and civil partnerships through the tax system, and support those on low incomes by helping them keep more of the money they earn. There were 1.78m claimants for the Marriage Allowance in 2018-19.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has taken significant steps to encourage people to claim for the Marriage Allowance. HM Revenue and Customs ran a series of both free and paid-for marketing campaigns, which ran between October 2015 and March 2017, and continue to raise awareness through ongoing communication on social media and on GOV.UK. Marriage Allowance can be claimed through the Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK or by phone to HMRC. The Marriage Allowance can be backdated to 2015-16 when it was introduced. This means eligible couples can claim a total of £1,150 if not claimed before.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham question first answered 15/07/2019 14:37:52 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
tabling member	4184 label Biography information for Baroness Eaton

1135701

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Married People: Tax Allowances
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Marriage Allowance; and what plans they have to review that allowance.
tabling member printed	Baroness Eaton
uin	HL16794
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>The Marriage Allowance was introduced in April 2015 to recognise the importance of marriage and civil partnerships in the tax system, and support those on low incomes by helping them keep more of the money they earn.</p><p> </p><p>The Marriage Allowance is effective as it gives extra financial support to those couples eligible for it. In 2018/19, 1.78m couples benefitted from the Marriage Allowance which is worth up to £250 a year. The Marriage Allowance can be backdated to 2015-16 when it was introduced. This means eligible couples can claim a total of £1,150 if not claimed before.</p><p> </p><p>As with all aspects of Government policy, the Marriage Allowance will be kept under review and any decisions on future changes will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham question first answered 15/07/2019 14:38:24 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
tabling member	4184 label Biography information for Baroness Eaton

1135702

registered interest
date	01/07/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Freezing of Assets: Libya
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much revenue has been raised from frozen Libyan assets in London in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
tabling member printed	Lord Empey
uin	HL16795
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text The Government’s response of 24 June to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report (into Government support for UK victims of IRA attacks that used Qadhafi-supplied Semtex and weapons) set out the information the Government had obtained about tax receipts on frozen Libyan assets held in UK banks. The response states: “Around £17 million has been received in total since the start of the 2016-17 tax year. HMRC currently receives around £5 million each year.” answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham question first answered 15/07/2019 14:36:41 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey