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1314168

registered interest
date	12/05/2021
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Satellites: Risk Assessment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to assess the risks of any increase in the number of satellites in low-orbit, including the risks of (1) light pollution, and (2) debris.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL156
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2021 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Government are committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space and take our international responsibilities around debris mitigation very seriously. The Government is committed to regularly reviewing and assessing risks and uses a robust methodology to ensure that risks are up to date and understood.</p><p>In carrying out safety assessments under its current licensing process, the UK Space Agency considers operators’ collision avoidance and debris mitigation measures as conducted throughout the entire time the spacecraft remains in orbit around the Earth.</p><p>The Government also actively participates in a number of multi-lateral fora, including the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its Subcommittees and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), alongside a number of bodies defining safety standards. Within these forums, the Government works collaboratively with its international partners to define the best practice and associated guidelines that will ensure space is accessible for future generations.</p><p>We are also working with satellite operators, the Royal Astronomical Society, the European Astronomical Society and the International Astronomical Union to understand the impacts of the artificial light generated by satellites and clarify what actions could be taken to mitigate interference for the UK community and our international partners. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, alongside the UK Space Agency, will continue to support the UK science and astronomy community.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 26/05/2021 11:10:31 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1314169

registered interest
date	12/05/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Greece: Refugees
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 the government of Greece has (1) sentenced a Syrian man to 52 years in prison for driving a refugee boat, and (2) charged an Afghan man and an Afghan woman with various offences at sea; and what representations they have made to the government of Greece (1) about such reports, and (2) the treatment of refugees.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL157
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2021 answer text <p>The UK recognises the challenges faced by Greece in dealing with the difficulties presented by irregular migration. We have not made specific representations with regard to the cases you refer, however we regularly engage Greek ministers and senior officials on these issues. The Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts met the Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum on 26 March to discuss respective priorities on irregular migration and asylum, and we will continue to work with Greek and international partners to identify opportunities to further support improved conditions for migrants in Greece.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 24/05/2021 11:26:15 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1314170

registered interest
date	12/05/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Turkey: Trials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to send observers to the trial in Turkey of 108 politicians for involvement in protests that occurred in 2014; and if not, why not.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL158
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2021 answer text <p>The Government is closely monitoring this trial, and consistently reminds Turkey that we expect its government to undertake any legal processes or actions against members of opposition groups fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law.</p><p>Whilst the British Embassy in Ankara regularly sends representatives to attend high-profile trials in Turkey, joining representatives from like-minded countries, we are not planning to do so on this occasion because of restrictions due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We will continue to raise our human rights concerns with the Turkish government. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas did so most recently with her Turkish counterpart on 21 April.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 24/05/2021 11:25:12 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1313648

registered interest
date	11/05/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Press Freedom
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 number of journalists (1) killed, (2) arrested, and (3) imprisoned, in the course of their work in the last five years; and what steps they will take to protect freedom of journalists to report.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL40
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <p>Far too many journalists have been killed, arrested and imprisoned over the last five years. The situation appears to have deteriorated during this time, including the number of journalists threatened, abused or attacked. This is why the former Foreign Secretary launched a global media freedom campaign in November 2018, to shine a spotlight on media freedom and increase the cost to those abusing media freedom and persecuting journalists. The Media Freedom Coalition was one initiative created under the campaign. The Coalition is a partnership of countries working together to advocate for media freedom and safety of journalists and hold to account those who harm journalists for doing their job. It continues to expand, and consists of 47 members who have pledged to improve media freedom at home and abroad. It has issued a number of statements including, this year, on cases related to Uganda, China, Belarus and Myanmar, as well as to mark World Press Freedom Day. Another initiative of the campaign was the establishment of the Global Media Defence Fund, managed by UNESCO. Following its first project round in 2020, over 40 projects, aimed at enhancing journalists' legal protection and access to specialised legal assistance, as well as supporting investigative journalism, were selected for funding. The projects are reported to be benefitting over 1100 journalists and 65 media lawyers. Three years after the launch of the campaign, media freedom and the defence of journalists remains a priority for this office. We have used our presidency of the G7 this year to promote media freedom, securing strong language in the G7 Foreign Ministers' communique committing members to champion media freedom, support the work of the Media Freedom Coalition and lead by example in undertaking measures to improve media freedom.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/05/2021 13:15:24 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1313650

registered interest
date	11/05/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Cyprus: Birds
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Cyprus about the killing of migrant birds.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL42
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2021 answer text <p>The UK Government opposes the illegal trapping of birds, which is a widespread issue across the whole of Cyprus. Whilst songbirds are a protected species under Cypriot law, trapping and eating song birds unfortunately remains a practice in some Cypriot communities, and substantial profits can still be made by those who organise and control this activity. The Government has conveyed the strength of UK public concern to the Government of Cyprus, including during a May 2019 visit by the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey. The UK and the Republic of Cyprus will continue to work together on the issue.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 24/05/2021 11:04:21 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1313651

registered interest
date	11/05/2021
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	Lighting: Pollution
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 evidence of the impact of urban light pollution on (1) migrating birds, (2) resident birds, and (3) astronomy; and what plans they have to reducing the adverse effects of light pollution.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL43
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <p>Defra has published or contributed to a range of assessments of the impact of artificial light on insects and wider biodiversity, as well as global and national assessments of the drivers of biodiversity loss more generally.</p><p> </p><p>There has been no systematic research on or appraisal of the effects of urban lighting on migratory or resident birds. There is some evidence that artificial lighting can assist nocturnal feeding for some species under certain circumstances and prolong activity of birds beyond their normal periods. More significantly, there is evidence that shows strong light sources can disorient birds in flight and lead to direct mortality due to collisions with the light sources, their associated structures, and the ground.</p><p> </p><p>In particular research suggests that artificial light can have an adverse effect on migratory birds’ ability to undertake long distance migrations. Birds attracted to light are not only at risk of death or injury due to collision with buildings and other structures, but are also at risk of exhaustion, starvation, or predation.</p><p> </p><p>However, neither national nor global research has identified artificial light as a significant threat to UK bird populations. The UK’s recent report to the EU under Article 12 of the Birds Directive identified a medium threat to storm petrels from ‘attraction to and incineration by flares from oil platforms and rigs.</p><p> </p><p>Government officials have met with relevant stakeholders including the Commission for Dark Skies but have not made an assessment of the impact of light pollution on astronomy.</p><p> </p><p>The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the possible ecological impacts of artificial light should be considered in the planning system. It makes clear that policies and decisions should limit the impact of light pollution on local amenity, dark landscapes, and nature conservation, including where there may be impacts on wildlife and ecosystems. Defra has contributed to associated guidance published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 25/05/2021 16:24:10 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1311967

registered interest
date	26/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Kenya: Migrant Camps
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 opposition of the Roman Catholic bishops of Kenya to the closure of the (1) Dadaab, and (2) Kakuma, refugee camps; and what assessment they have made of whether the government of Kenya is entitled to close those camps unilaterally, in particular if there are no proposals for improved voluntary repatriation.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL15248
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2021 answer text <p>The UK has long provided support to refugees in Kenya and appreciates the hospitality that the Government of Kenya has for decades shown to refugees and asylum seekers. We are aware of their recent decision to close the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps and are working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other development partners to find solutions that are durable, safe and in line with Kenya's national and international obligations. We acknowledge, as the Roman Catholic Bishops of Kenya have, that full closure of the camps in a short timeframe would pose an significant challenge. We will continue to press for solutions that are designed collaboratively and in line with International Refugee Law.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 29/04/2021 12:45:38 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1311230

registered interest
date	21/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Mozambique: Peace Negotiations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of plans to restore peace in north-east Mozambique following the impact of the insurgency linked to Islamic State.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL15157
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2021 answer text <p>The UK is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in the north-east of Mozambique, and the increasing attacks by groups with links to Islamic extremism. As the Minister for Africa made clear publicly on 26 and 28 March, we condemn the recent appalling attacks in Palma, Cabo Delgado and we stand with the people of Mozambique against terrorism. To date, the insurgency has claimed over 2,000 lives and displaced over 700,000 people.</p><p>We are working with the Government of Mozambique to address the root drivers of conflict and instability, including through engagement with the Government of Mozambique's regional development authority in Cabo Delgado, and by providing targeted assistance under the framework of a Defence Memorandum of Understanding. The UK also co-chairs, with Ireland, the International Community Crisis Taskforce. This brings together the Mozambican government and the international community in high-level discussion about humanitarian and other crises, including the ongoing crisis in Cabo Delgado. UK Aid has provided £20m of humanitarian and development support to people in the north-east of Mozambique, ensuring they have access to food, shelter and basic healthcare.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 29/04/2021 12:38:45 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1311231

registered interest
date	21/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Denmark: Refugees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Denmark about reports (1) that it plans to remove the residence permits of Syrian refugees currently residing in Denmark, and (2) that such refugees have been mistreated in deportation camps.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL15158
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2021 answer text <p>When we have concerns about humanitarian issues and conditions in a country, we raise these directly with the government concerned. Denmark is party to both the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the 1951 Refugee Convention and we are confident that Denmark has a robust legal rationale to demonstrate this approach and is in compliance with its obligations under both Conventions.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 29/04/2021 12:39:19 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1309998

registered interest
date	19/04/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Turkey: 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 bipartisan letter signed by 170 members of the US House of Representatives in March, urging the government of the United States of America to address alleged human rights violations in Turkey; and what actions the UK Government will take in response to those allegations.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL15044
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2021 answer text <p>We share many of the concerns highlighted in the US House of Representatives' letter to Secretary of State Blinken, not least around freedom of expression and political debate. We are clear in our expectation that Turkey, like all countries, should live up to its human rights obligations towards all its citizens. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas raised a range of human rights issues on 21 April with her Turkish counterpart and urged swift implementation of the Human Rights Action Plan published in March. Working with the US and other international partners, we will continue to encourage Turkey, including at Ministerial level, to act in line with the conventions of the Council of Europe and to make greater progress on wider human rights reforms.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 29/04/2021 12:24:00 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton