Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of legislating to provide that British National (Overseas) visa holders are not subject to immigration control; and what plans they have to grant holders of British National (Overseas) status a statutory right of abode in the United Kingdom.

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

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK and is fully committed to the British National (Overseas) (BN(O) route, which will continue to welcome Hong Kongers. We confirmed in the earned settlement consultation document A Fairer Pathway to Settlement (CP1448) that those on the BN(O) route will retain a five-year route to settlement. We have no plans to legislate to create a right of abode for BN(O)s, or to otherwise exempt them from immigration control.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent sectarian atrocities and abductions of children in Nigeria, and the underlying causes; and what recent discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria about securing the release of abductees and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement that I made to the House on 27 November (UIN HLWS1104).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 24 November (HL11698 and HL11699), what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about targeted killings, UK arms exports, and the support provided to civil society and faith-based organisations working to address religiously-targeted violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement that I made to the House on 27 November (UIN HLWS1104).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many British Chambers of Commerce have registered under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme

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

Certain information registered under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) will be published, where the registration relates to political influence activities. No registrations by British Chambers of Commerce are included on the public register at this point.

Registrations under the enhanced tier will not be published, unless they relate to political influence activities. Additionally, registrations will not be published where an exception to publication applies, for example where publication could create a risk to the safety or interests of the UK. We will not provide details of registrations beyond that which is on the public register as to do so could identify information not intended to be published and undermine the scheme’s objectives.

However, the Government will be publishing an annual report setting out, among other things, the number of registrations, number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence. The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the anticipated commencement dates for each of the provisions in the Public Office (Accountability) Bill.

Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government will not delay bringing the measures in the Public Office (Accountability) Bill into force.

We are urgently looking at what is required effectively to implement each of the measures.

We will update the House in due course on the planned timeline for implementation and commencement.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how often the UK Special Representative to Sudan has consulted the Sudanese diaspora about humanitarian needs in Sudan; where those meetings have taken place; and who those meetings were with.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Our Special Representative for Sudan and officials regularly meet with a wide range of Sudanese civil society and diaspora groups in the UK and across the region to listen to their concerns, gain their valuable insights, and help to build an inclusive, united approach for transitioning to a civilian-led government once a lasting ceasefire is in place.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering humanitarian aid to Sudan through international organisations compared to directly to local emergency response rooms using mobile money services.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement on Sudan I made in the House on 19 November, and to my remarks in the House of Lords debate on Sudan on 27 November. I will provide further updates to the House in due course, including on the progress we are making to reach all the people and regions currently in desperate need of humanitarian support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the restriction of entry of humanitarian aid by the Sudanese Armed Forces to areas of need, and what action they will take to ensure consistent and unfettered access of aid.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement on Sudan I made in the House on 19 November, and to my remarks in the House of Lords debate on Sudan on 27 November. I will provide further updates to the House in due course, including on the progress we are making to reach all the people and regions currently in desperate need of humanitarian support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they will take to ensure that countries that supply weapons to militia in Sudan abide by international conventions aimed at preventing mass atrocities.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement on Sudan I made in the House on 19 November, and to my remarks in the House of Lords debate on Sudan on 27 November. I will provide further updates to the House in due course, including on the progress we are making to reach all the people and regions currently in desperate need of humanitarian support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are working with the UK branch of the Sudan Doctors Union about the most effective and impactful way to direct humanitarian aid in Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement on Sudan I made in the House on 19 November, and to my remarks in the House of Lords debate on Sudan on 27 November. I will provide further updates to the House in due course, including on the progress we are making to reach all the people and regions currently in desperate need of humanitarian support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to respond to the humanitarian needs in the Kordofan regions of Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement on Sudan I made in the House on 19 November, and to my remarks in the House of Lords debate on Sudan on 27 November. I will provide further updates to the House in due course, including on the progress we are making to reach all the people and regions currently in desperate need of humanitarian support.

Found: Current membership House of Lords Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench; Life peer) (Chair) Lord Dholakia

Found: Website www.parliament.uk From the Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Lammy MP Deputy Prime Minister Lord Chancellor & Secretary of State for Justice Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: MacAlister OBE MP Minister for Children and Families 2025-0042583 The Rt Hon Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Richards MP (HC 1549) Wednesday 3 December 2025 2.30 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Alton of Liverpool