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1471261

	registered interest
	date	16/06/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Arts and Education
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to restore (1) education programmes, and (2) access to (a) training, and (b) the arts, for prisoners, where those have been restricted by (i) COVID-19, and (ii) staff shortages.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL1034
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2022 answer text <p>Staff recruitment was suspended from March 2020 until August 2020 whilst we implemented Covid-19 secure practices in response to Government guidelines on social distancing and non-essential travel. While this created a gap in our pipeline of new officers, once the process restarted, we used initiatives such as the accelerated launch of 60+ recruitment campaigns and the use of targeted overtime and mutual aid across prisons, to ensure establishments facing the greatest challenges received the most support.</p><p> </p><p>Although face-to-face teaching was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns at the start of the pandemic, education continued via remote learning. With the pandemic National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services having been lifted on 9 May 2022, we are now getting increasing numbers of learners back in the classroom and participating in activities, like the arts, that support rehabilitation where it is safe to do so.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in the Prisons Strategy White Paper, published on 7 December 2021, we are committed to improving education in prisons and we are delivering a Prisoner Education Service within this Parliament to raise prisoners’ levels of numeracy, literacy, skills and qualifications with the aim of helping them secure jobs upon release and drive down reoffending. This work includes investment in digital infrastructure, more training that delivers the skills employers need, more education experts to support Governors and improved support for prisoners with additional learning needs.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 30/06/2022 14:00:07 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1252051

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2020
	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	Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to discuss (1) arms control, and (2) arms trade limitation, with the government of Saudi Arabia, including at the next G20 summit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2020 answer text <p>The UK participated in the G20 Summit, where the Prime Minister set out his priorities of a coordinated global health response to the pandemic, a sustainable economic recovery, and ambitious action against climate change. As current G20 President, Saudi Arabia played a vital role in delivering a communique agreement on affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.</p><p>The UK strongly supports the various arms control instruments to which it is a party, as such we regularly call on all States which have not yet done so, to accede to these instruments as soon as possible. The UK takes its export control responsibilities and obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty extremely seriously. We assess all export licences in accordance with strict licensing criteria. The UK regularly raises the importance of International Humanitarian Law and of conducting thorough and conclusive investigations into alleged violations with Saudi Arabia, including at senior levels.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/11/2020 16:01:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1471262

	registered interest
	date	16/06/2022
	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	Madagascar: Rio Tinto Group
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to call on Rio Tinto to pay compensation to local people affected by the escape of (1) toxic uranium, and (2) lead, pollution from the mine near Anosy in Madagascar.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL1035
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2022 answer text <p>We are aware of allegations of pollution from the QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) ilmenite mining operations in south-east Madagascar. QMM, a joint venture between Rio Tinto and the Government of Madagascar, has denied the allegations. The UK welcomes ongoing efforts involving the national and regional authorities, QMM and the local community to establish the facts in the case and address the concerns of local residents.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 04/07/2022 11:24:00 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253369

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Visits
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect family visits to prisoners in England and Wales to resume; and whether they intend to give priority to the most vulnerable (1) prisoners, and (2) families.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10476
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>Following the reintroduction of national lockdown measures on 5 November, we have paused face-to-face social visits in prisons in England. There are exemptions for compassionate reasons, including visits to children in custody. Family visits in Wales are permitted, although in some establishments with active outbreaks they have been temporarily suspended on public health grounds. We will reintroduce face-to-face social visits as soon as safe to do so, guided by public health advice alongside an operational assessment of what can safely be implemented.</p><p>Prioritisation of visits is done locally, but we have instructed governors to consider the needs of vulnerable prisoners in their implementation plans.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:42:40 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253370

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners' Release
	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 proposal of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales to extend the Early Conditional Temporary Release Scheme; and when they intend to make a decision on that matter.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10477
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>In April we introduced the End of Custody Temporary Release (ECTR) scheme. It allowed for the early release of stringently assessed low-risk prisoners who were within two months of their release date. It freed up space across the estate so that all prisons could effectively control the spread of the virus by quarantining new arrivals, isolating those with symptoms and shielding vulnerable offenders. This was based on advice from Public Health England and was necessary to protect life and avoid thousands of prisoners becoming infected, overwhelming local NHS services.</p><p>The ECTR scheme was paused in August, as it was no longer a necessary part of our overall response. Throughout the pandemic our response has been based on public health advice, and this decision will be kept under constant review over the coming weeks and months.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 17:44:53 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253372

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners' Release: Social Security Benefits
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to enable prisoners to submit claims for (1) Universal Credit, and (2) other benefits, as early as possible prior to their release.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10478
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>We have been working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to improve access to financial support for prisoners and prison leavers. As part of the Government’s Covid-19 response, DWP established a bespoke telephony service to enable those released from prison to make a claim for Universal Credit. All prisoners receive information about the telephone line as part of the Discharge Pack that is issued to them as they leave prison. This service remains in place to assist prison leavers to make benefit claims quickly on release.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:42:56 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253373

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to reduce mental ill health among prisoners by providing facilities for (1) exercise, (2) education, and (3) work; and how those facilities have been affected by COVID-19 precautions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10479
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>The Covid-19 pandemic and the necessary regime restrictions introduced in response to it have brought new and different challenges across the estate. Maintaining safety and the mental health and wellbeing of prisoners has remained a priority throughout. A range of products have been made available to support Governors in devising and implementing local safety and welfare plans designed to mitigate any risks. Governors are required to agree a health delivery plan which includes how mental health support will be delivered during COVID-19.</p><p>We have tailored guidance for supporting specific groups of people in prison whose wellbeing may be more impacted by the Covid-19 measures put in place, including older prison residents, those with learning difficulties and groups known to be at increased risk of self-harm, suicide, or violence.</p><p>We have piloted improvements to Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT), which is the multidisciplinary case management approach used in prisons when someone is thought to be at risk of self-harm or suicide. Following a pause, due to the implementation of Covid-19 measures, we are currently planning the resumption of the roll-out of revised ACCT across the prison estate.</p><p>In addition, video health conferencing has been rolled out across the estate to support the delivery of mental health services by enabling contact with community and hospital services. Governors are also considering how mental health services can support people with the potential increased anxiety or other mental illnesses related to Covid-19, as well as ‘lockdown’ experiences and restrictions.</p><p>A range of internal initiatives have been developed, including the development of weekly national wellbeing content through HMPPS Psychology Services and prison radio content focussed on wellbeing. We have also been working with education providers to support prisons in the adult estate. This has allowed us to enable learning to continue via in cell activity, distraction material and learning packs. Within the Youth Secure Estate the delivery of education remains a particular priority as we seek to mirror the position taken for vulnerable children in the community, where it is possible to do so.It is our desire to continue to provide ‘face to face’ classroom-based education, notwithstanding local variations and the impact of potential outbreaks amongst staff or children.</p><p>In relation to exercise, since the beginning of the pandemic prisons have been authorised to use external exercise yards for access to the open air and to deliver external physical education. All sites have also set out how they will provide prisoners with time out of cell, and the safe equivalent of association time.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:43:32 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253375

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners on Remand
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prisoners in England and Wales are on remand awaiting trial; and what steps they are taking to reduce that number.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10480
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>As at 30 September 2020, there were 8,444 prisoners in England &amp; Wales held on remand awaiting trial. This information is included in Table 1.1 of prison population statistics which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/930646/Population_30Sep2020.ods" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/930646/Population_30Sep2020.ods</a></p><p>The decision to remand someone is a matter for the independent judiciary. Defendants can be remanded where there is a risk they may abscond or commit offences if released on bail.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:44:52 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253376

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2020
	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	Nigeria: Prisoners
	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 Nigeria about the report from its National Bureau of Statistics, published on 23 April, which found that more than 70 per cent of that country's prison population is on remand without sentence.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10481
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government shares the concern about the findings in the report by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics. Although we have not discussed this specific report with the Nigerian authorities, officials at our High Commission have raised the issue of the large numbers of prisoners awaiting trial and the need for due process to be followed in a timely manner in all cases. It is important that the federal and state governments take steps to reduce the number of prisoners on remand without sentence. Our High Commission will continue to engage with the Nigerian Ministry of Justice on this subject.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 02/12/2020 12:45:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1254616

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2020
	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	West Bank: Education
	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 the Norwegian Refugee Council Raided and Razed: Attacks on West Bank Education, published on 12 November; and what plans they have to raise this subject with the government of Israel in a joint démarche with other European countries.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL10598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2020 answer text <p>We are concerned by the findings of the report by the Norwegian Refugee Council, <em>'Raided and Razed: Attacks on West Bank Education'</em>, published on 12 November. The right to education is basic, and it is essential to have a strong and thriving Palestinian education system in order to provide opportunities for the next generation. This is why the UK is committed to providing support to education workers in the West Bank, and UNRWA education in the West Bank and Gaza. The Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa raised UK concerns about the demolition of Palestinian infrastructure, including potential demolition of schools, with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 29 October. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv also raised our concern about the demolition of schools with the Government of Israel on 13 October, alongside European partners. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 07/12/2020 14:19:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton