Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government on what grounds they have removed sanctions against Owen Ncube, Isaac Moyo, Godwin Matanga, Anselem Sanyatwe and Zimbabwe Defence Industries.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK regularly reviews its sanctions designations. The four individuals removed from the UK Sanctions list are no longer in the positions held when they were designated in 2021. The revocations follow a similar move from the European Union in February 2025, when they delisted their last remaining entity (ZDI) whilst renewing their existing Zimbabwe sanctions framework. The US also removed a number of designations in March 2024.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers and refugees have been dispersed by the Home Office to Northern Ireland in each of the past five years, and how many from Syria, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Ukraine in the relevant official schemes.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The number of supported asylum seekers and refugees in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years were as follows:

Please note that Asylum seekers are accommodated in Northern Ireland only if they apply for asylum there. These figures are a snapshot as at 31 March for the last 5 years.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the UK–Morocco Joint Communiqué of 1 June and the agreement to internal autonomy for the Western Sahara, whether they now recognise Moroccan sovereignty over the territory; and whether that is compatible with their vote for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1754 which endorsed the right of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. The UK's position on the legal status of Western Sahara has not changed. We are clear that any solution to the conflict must be mutually agreed by the parties. The UK continues to support the parties and the UN to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination. The UK will encourage dialogue and compromise with the aim of achieving a peaceful and mutually agreed resolution that upholds the dignity and rights of the people of Western Sahara and contributes to long-term regional stability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when a minister last met with the President of Zimbabwe, and what was the outcome of that meeting.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare on June 11. During this meeting I reaffirmed the UK's commitment to building a respectful, modern partnership with Zimbabwe, with a strong focus on delivering mutually beneficial economic growth including on trade and investment, energy and climate. I also underlined that the UK remains committed to engaging in Zimbabwe's arrears clearance dialogue and encouraged progress on the three tracks, which include governance reforms.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the BBC about making access to its television channels by residents of the Republic of Ireland subject to subscription payment.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government does not hold information about the number of people who have access to free BBC channels from the Republic of Ireland.

The Government has not had discussions with the BBC about making access to its television channels by residents of the Republic of Ireland subject to subscription payment. With regard to the ongoing distribution of UK television services in the Republic of Ireland, the Government remains committed to the relevant provisions set out in the Good Friday Agreement and 2010 Memorandum of Understanding.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people in the Republic of Ireland have access to free BBC television channels.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government does not hold information about the number of people who have access to free BBC channels from the Republic of Ireland.

The Government has not had discussions with the BBC about making access to its television channels by residents of the Republic of Ireland subject to subscription payment. With regard to the ongoing distribution of UK television services in the Republic of Ireland, the Government remains committed to the relevant provisions set out in the Good Friday Agreement and 2010 Memorandum of Understanding.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will release all documents relating to the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994; and if not, why.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of those who died.

The early release of the closed records held at The National Archives would breach data protection rights as they contain personal information relating to third party individuals. However, as part of Ministry of Defence’s business as usual activity to renew the Retention Instrument associated with these closed records, an assessment of the potential merit of removing the 100-year closure status is due to take place in 2029.