Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that China has used the death penalty on four Canadian citizens this year, whether they will direct the Great Britain–China Centre to suspend its training and cooperation with members of China's judiciary until executions cease.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. This Government believes that the death penalty's use undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable.

Great Britain-China Centre (GBCC) has for many years worked to reduce the application of the death penalty in China, with the ultimate goal of abolition, by providing technical legal training to defence lawyers and support to legislative reforms that restrict the use of the death penalty. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not provide funding to this work within GBCC's Grant-in-Aid.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero raised the use of Uyghur slave labour in the manufacture of solar panels and in other forms of green technology during his recent visit to China, and, if so, what response he received.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

This Government continues to stand firm on the issue of human rights in China, including relating to forced labour. The recent visit by the Secretary of State gave the opportunity to discuss issues that matter to the UK with senior levels of the Chinese government, including areas where we disagree.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero raised the use of Congolese child labour in the mining of minerals used in green technologies exported to the United Kingdom during his recent visit to China, and if so, what response he received.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and free from forced labour.

The Secretary of State's recent visit to China gave the opportunity to discuss issues that matter to the UK with senior levels of the Chinese government, including areas where we disagree.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the causes of marginalisation of minority communities in Iran.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK remains committed to holding Iran accountable for its systemic targeting and repression of religious and ethnic minorities. We were integral to the delivery of the Iran human rights resolution, adopted by the United Nations Third Committee in November 2024, which called on Iran to cease monitoring individuals on account of their religious identity and to ensure rights are upheld, and to eliminate all forms of discrimination and human rights violations against ethnic minorities, including but not limited to, Ahwazi Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, Baluchis and Kurds. In January, the Foreign Secretary raised human rights directly with his Iranian counterpart.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 2 January (HL3636), what assessment they have made of the progress made to address intercommunal violence following the implementation of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK's strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme (SPRiNG) is working to reduce rural violence in northwest and north-central Nigeria, including by supporting collaboration and productive livelihoods for both farmers and pastoralists, and strengthening conflict early warning, management and response. Whilst SPRiNG is still in the early phases of implementation, its partnership with the Institute for Integrated Transitions has achieved encouraging results already. Mediation efforts in Nasawara State have fostered a negotiated agreement between the Bassa and Egbura People, enabling the return and resettlement of 5000 internally displaced persons.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the UK’s role as a member of the Troika, and as a co-signatory of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, what specific action they have taken during March, and what action they plan to take in the coming weeks, to prevent further escalation of armed violence in South Sudan.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Following increases in fighting in South Sudan, and the house arrest of First Vice President Machar, we have called on President Kiir to reverse this action and prevent further escalation - including through engaging with regional efforts towards de-escalation. On 27th March we published a joint statement with the Troika and other likeminded partners and reiterated this message at the UN Human Rights Council. We will continue to work with partners, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the UN, to press for the full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether fiscal rules or defence priorities determined that more than 90 per cent of the expenditure transferred to defence from overseas development assistance is allocated to capital expenditure; and how this allocation correlates to the 35 per cent of defence expenditure currently allocated to capital spending.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s Spring Statement document, published on 26 March, set out the Resource DEL and Capital DEL uplifts to defence spending over the scorecard period.

A greater proportion of the uplift will be Capital DEL funding. This reflects the needs of defence, and will enable the accelerated adoption of cutting-edge capabilities, and rebuild stockpiles, munitions, and other essentials depleted after a period focussed on international terrorism and global crises. This Capital DEL focus also supports the Chancellor’s mission to boost growth, enabling greater spending on novel and innovative technologies.

The allocation of this uplift and the MOD budget will be confirmed as part of the Spending Review 2025, which will conclude on 11 June 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that the government of the United States of America has (1) withdrawn from the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and (2) reduced funding to the Humanitarian Research Lab investigating the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, how they are supporting efforts to ensure justice and accountability for Ukraine.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to ensuring that those responsible for atrocities committed during the conflict in Ukraine are held to account for their actions. Since the full-scale invasion we have provided over £11 million in funding to support Ukraine's domestic accountability efforts. We are supporting the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court to ensure allegations of war crimes are fully and fairly investigated, by independent, effective and robust legal mechanisms. We are also supporting work towards establishing a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and have played an active role in discussions with Ukraine and close partners to progress this commitment.

The UK raises the mass deportation of Ukrainian children continually with our allies and in multilateral fora, and we are playing our full part in international efforts to reunite these children with their families. On 19 November 2024, the UK released its third sanctions package targeting those involved in Putin's attempt to deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. Minister Doughty met with Ukrainian organisations 'Save Ukraine' and 'Bring Kids Back UA' in London on 27 March 2025. We continue to support the vital work to identify, locate, return and reintegrate Ukrainian children through the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the funds transferred from overseas development assistance expenditure to defence may be used by the armed forces on revenue expenditure rather than capital expenditure, in (1) real terms, and (2) as a percentage; and whether this was discussed with Service Chiefs in advance.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Prime Minister announced on 25 February 2025 that NATO qualifying defence spending would increase to 2.5% GDP in 2027-28. This would be fully funded by a reduction in ODA spending from 0.5% to 0.3% GNI.

The Spring Statement document, published on 26 March, set out the Resource DEL and Capital DEL uplifts to defence spending over the scorecard period.

The proportion of this uplift that will be allocated to the MOD budget is to be determined as part of the Spending Review 2025, which will conclude on 11 June 2025.

The Defence Secretary will continue to work with the Service Chiefs in the usual way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 1 April (HL5876), what action they are taking in addition to issuing joint statements to prevent renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are concerned at heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and are engaging both sides at senior levels to encourage channels of communication and dialogue. This includes recent engagements by the Deputy Prime Minister during her recent visit to Ethiopia, and by myself as part of discussions on regional security with Ethiopian Ministers in recent weeks. Additionally, this week the UK's Special Envoy for the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa is visiting Asmara to meet with Eritrean Ministers and reinforce the need for calm and de-escalation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the African Union in its role as a guarantor of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK continues to support the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Ethiopia. The UK has provided over £155,000 to the second phase of the African Union Monitoring Verification and Compliance Mechanism, which monitors the implementation of the agreement.

We also support the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process, a key part of the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, as backed by the African Union (AU). We will continue to support the AU in its efforts to ensure lasting peace prevails.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the departure of Getachew Reda as interim President of Tigray, what steps they are taking to prevent the fragmentation of governance in Tigray.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Both before and after the departure of Getachew Reda as Tigray's Interim Regional Administration President, and since the appointment of his successor Tadesse Werede, the UK has consistently engaged with the government of Ethiopia, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front and the African Union to prevent a return to conflict, support the implementation of the peace agreement, and encourage political dialogue. The UK is urging the parties to reduce the risks of fragmentation by responsibly agreeing a way forward on the key issues, including return of Internally Displaced People and Demobilisation, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR). The UK is a leading contributor to the DDR process in Tigray and supports women-led organisations to influence peace and recovery efforts.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to review the policy to prevent asylum seekers from working while awaiting a decision on their applications; and what assessment they have made of providing this opportunity to applicants who are victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.

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

Asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work in jobs on the Immigration Salary List.

Where a victim of modern slavery is seeking asylum, we may allow earlier permission to work on an exceptional basis. In these cases, consideration will be given to that individual’s physical, psychological and social recovery.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of draft law on foreign agents introduced on 31 March by the government of Georgia, and what assessment they have made of the impact of the legislation on political opposition.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A vibrant opposition and civil society in Georgia, is an essential attribute of a healthy democracy. We have serious concerns over the recent repressive legislation Georgian Dream have rushed through parliament, including the Georgian Foreign Agents Registration Act legislation and Successor Parties Law. The Minister of State, Stephen Doughty MP raised concerns over the plans and civil society and democratic freedoms with Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Botchorishvili on 16 December 2024.

The proposed laws would place extreme constraints on civil society and opposition parties, while undermining a democratic and prosperous future for all Georgians.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Burmese military junta has bombed civilian areas affected by the earthquake in Burma; and what further assessment they have made of (1) the number of fatalities and casualties, and (2) how much humanitarian assistance is reaching victims.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK was concerned by reports of continuing airstrikes by the Myanmar military after the earthquake. On 2 April, the Myanmar military announced a temporary ceasefire which we welcome. We now call on the Myanmar military to fully respect the ceasefire. We estimate 4,346 people have lost their lives so far (as of 10 April), but we expect this to increase significantly. Our initial £10 million of humanitarian assistance is already reaching those directly affected by the earthquake as we channel funding to long standing local partners (local civil society organisations, faith groups and education providers).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to address the illegal extraction of minerals in Tigray; and what assessment they have made of the environmental destruction and harm to livestock caused by these activities.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are monitoring reports of the illegal extraction of minerals in Tigray. It is important that all such activity is conducted legally and with the appropriate approvals from the relevant government authorities in Ethiopia and is done in a way that protects the local environment.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 8 December 2021 (HLWS439), what plans they have to publish the review of asylum seeker right to work policy.

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

The Government will later this year publish a new white paper on immigration covering a wide range of issues, including enforcement of the rules governing eligibility to work.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the manifesto Putting victims first: renewing the UK’s commitment to victims of trafficking and modern slavery, published in July 2024 by a coalition of modern slavery organisations.

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

The Government continues to engage with the coalition of NGOs referred to and a wide range of experts and stakeholders keeping all aspects of asylum and immigration systems under regular review including in relation to trafficking and modern slavery.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports from the government of South Korea that a further 3,000 North Korean troops have been sent to fight in the war in Ukraine this year; and what measures they have taken to hold those responsible to account.

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

The Ministry of Defence is aware of recent reports in the press citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff that DPRK has subsequently deployed a further 3,000 additional troops in support of Russian Forces in Kursk.

As stated by the Foreign Secretary previously, such cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is not only in violation of multiple UNSC resolutions, but also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people and threatens global security, including those in the ROK and the UK, and demonstrates the desperation of the DPRK and Russia. We are committed to providing the support Ukraine requires to secure a just and lasting peace.

Found: London SW1H 9AJ Alex Davies-Jones MP Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: With kind regards, Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

Found: With kind regards, Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

Found: With kind regards, Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

Found: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 55 Whitehall London SW1A 2HP Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Attorney-General (HC 817) Wednesday 2 April 2025 2.25 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Alton of Liverpool