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1137361

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	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: Muslims
	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 Muslim children are being separated from their families, faith and language in schools in Xinjiang; and what representations they intend to make about such separations to the government of China.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16968
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>We have serious concerns about the detention of more than a million Uyghurs, along with widespread surveillance and restrictions targeted at minorities. British diplomats in China visit Xinjiang every few months, in order to see at first-hand the situation there. They most recently visited in May 2019, and their observations have supported much of the recent open source reporting about the restrictions targeted at specific ethnic groups.</p><p>Ministers and senior officials frequently raise the human rights issues in the region with their Chinese counterparts, most recently in a public statement on 3 July at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Foreign Secretary also 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 and 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>Reports about forced separation of children add to the growing body of disturbing evidence highlighting the situation Uyghurs face in Xinjiang. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns 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 22/07/2019 12:51:42 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1137362

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	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: Detainees
	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 in one township in Xinjiang more than 400 children have lost both of their parents to some form of internment in camps or prisons; and what assessment they have made of whether those internments are part of a campaign to systematically remove children from their roots and their family’s beliefs.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16969
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>We have serious concerns about the detention of more than a million Uyghurs, along with widespread surveillance and restrictions targeted at minorities. British diplomats in China visit Xinjiang every few months, in order to see at first-hand the situation there. They most recently visited in May 2019, and their observations have supported much of the recent open source reporting about the restrictions targeted at specific ethnic groups.</p><p>Ministers and senior officials frequently raise the human rights issues in the region with their Chinese counterparts, most recently in a public statement on 3 July at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Foreign Secretary also 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 and 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>Reports about forced separation of children add to the growing body of disturbing evidence highlighting the situation Uyghurs face in Xinjiang. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns 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 22/07/2019 12:52:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1137363

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	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	Eritrea: Health Centres
	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 4 July (HL16637), whether they can now provide an assessment of the impact of the government of Eritrea's enforced closure of Church-run health centres; whether staff in Eritrea have been able to visit and gather evidence of the impact of such closures on the local community; what assessment they have made of the reported deaths resulting from the closure of those facilities; and when they intend to raise this matter with (1) the government of Eritrea, and (2) the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16970
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>​We understand that the majority of the Catholic Church managed health centres recently closed by the Eritrean Government have reopened under Ministry of Health management. Due to restrictions on travel, and with no independent media in Eritrea, it is difficult for UK Embassy staff to verify these reports themselves or the consequences of the original closures. The Eritrean Government has stated that the closures are part of a long-term plan to bring all healthcare provisions under the Government. We have raised with the Eritrean Ambassador in London and our Ambassador in Asmara has requested a meeting with the Eritrean Foreign Minister.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/07/2019 12:53:08 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1137364

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	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	Yemen: Human Rights
	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 conclusions and recommendations of the report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Situation of human rights in Yemen, including violations and abuses since September 2014, published on 17 August 2018.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bates
	uin	HL16971
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned by the human rights violations and abuses reported by the UN in August 2018. It is vital that all parties to the conflict make every effort to promote and protect human rights. Yemen remains a human rights priority country for the UK. In the 2018 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Human Rights and Democracy Report, we highlighted our concerns over women’s rights including girls’ education, the recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary detention, and attacks on freedom of religion or belief and on freedom of speech and association. We have raised the FCO's report directly with the Human Rights Minister for the Government of Yemen, voicing our concerns. We will continue to work with all parties and international partners, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to find a political solution to the conflict, in order to create the conditions to improve and protect human rights in Yemen.​</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/07/2019 12:53:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates

1137365

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Traffic Commissioners
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are conducting a review into the role of the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain; if so, (1) whether they will place copy of any such review's terms of reference in the Library of the House, (2) what consultation is taking place as part of that review and with whom, and (3) when they expect to publish the conclusions of any such review.
	tabling member printed	Lord Berkeley
	uin	HL16972
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is conducting an internal review of the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) to consider ways of working and potential for efficiencies. It has consulted trade associations as part of this process. This is an internal review and therefore DVSA will not be publishing its terms of reference or any conclusions. DVSA expects to complete the review in early autumn 2019.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 22/07/2019 12:58:58 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	3526 label Biography information for Lord Berkeley

1137366

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Disadvantaged: Children and Young People
	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 report by Barnardo’s Overcoming Poverty of Hope, published on 8 July; and what steps they intend to take to improve how they (1) listen to, and (2) act upon, the concerns of younger generations.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bird
	uin	HL16973
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>We welcome the Overcoming Poverty of Hope report which provides valuable insight into young people’s views and concerns about their own future.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to providing support for young people so that everyone, no matter what their start is in life, is given the best chance of getting into work. The department has a variety of support for young people such as the Youth Obligation Support Programme which provides support tailored to the needs and ambitions of individual 18 to 21 year olds. We have been working with Barnardo’s to develop a pilot specifically for care leavers. The pilot offers enhanced work experience and a personal mentor to support the care leaver throughout the placement, building the skills and confidence needed to start a career.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 22/07/2019 12:41:10 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4564 label Biography information for Lord Bird

1137369

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure that people over the age of 75 who do not use the internet will be able to apply, and pay, for a TV licence from June 2020.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL16976
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2019 answer text <p>The BBC is responsible for the cost and the administration of the over 75 licence fee concession from June 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The BBC says that it will work with older peoples groups, charities and voluntary organisations to design a bespoke system to support all those over 75 affected by its decision. As part of this system, the BBC says that its licensing arm, TV Licensing, will write to all those all those affected, and will use suitable measures such as face to face visits and phone calls to make it as easy as possible for those transitioning to apply for and pay the licence fee.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ashton of Hyde question first answered 19/07/2019 10:41:34 answering member 4247 label Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

1137370

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they intend to offer to people who are just above the threshold of eligibility for pension credit to afford the additional £154.54 per year to pay for a TV licence from June 2020.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL16977
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2019 answer text <p>The BBC is responsible for the cost and the administration of the over 75 licence fee concession from June 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The BBC says that it will work with older peoples groups, charities and voluntary organisations to design a bespoke system to support all those over 75 affected by its decision. As part of this system, the BBC says that its licensing arm, TV Licensing, will be publicising the link between the concession and pension credit. It also says its will be introducing an easy payment system to help those affected spread the cost of the licence fee.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State has expressed his disappointment with the BBC decision to restrict the concession to the most narrowly defined review option. He has asked the BBC to do more for the most vulnerable pensioners, including considering measures around the margins of eligibility and those which further promote the take up of Pension Credit.</p> answering member printed Lord Ashton of Hyde question first answered 19/07/2019 10:44:05 answering member 4247 label Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

1137371

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
	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 compatibility of the BBC's decision to change the TV licence concession for people over the age of 75 from June 2020 with the Government's strategy to combat loneliness.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL16978
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2019 answer text <p>The future of the over 75 licence fee concession is a matter for the BBC. Parliament transferred responsibility in passing the Digital Economy Act in 2017. On loneliness, the Government is taking steps to address the effects of isolation and loneliness on the elderly. These include appointing a minister to lead work on tackling loneliness; publishing the world’s first government strategy on loneliness; and securing £20 million of new grant-funding for projects run by charities and community groups to bring people together.</p> answering member printed Lord Ashton of Hyde question first answered 19/07/2019 10:45:46 answering member 4247 label Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

1137372

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pension Credit
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding they provided to charities that work with older people to support the take-up of Pension Credit in (1) 2015–16, (2) 2016–17, and (3) 2017–18.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL16979
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to. We work with a wide range of stakeholders, including charities to ensure that accurate information about benefits including Pension Credit is available in the places where people are most likely to go to seek information.</p><p> </p><p>The DWP knows that one of the best ways to reach eligible claimants is through trusted stakeholder organisations working in the community and that is why we have developed and resourced the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up.</p><p> </p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Stakeholders and potential claimants alike can use the Pension Credit calculator at gov.uk to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive.</p><p> </p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant stakeholders a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the changes introduced on 15 May for mixed age couples to ensure they are able to communicate the most up-to-date information to potential claimants.</p><p> </p><p>DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 22/07/2019 12:57:17 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock