Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assess and prevent transnational repression of Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders and their families in the United Kingdom, particularly through the misuse of financial, tax, immigration or identity data by foreign governments.

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

The National Security Act 2023 has provided a comprehensive suite of powers to counter the threat of Transnational repression (TNR). The Government, working alongside operational partners, have mature mechanisms in place to prevent, assess and respond to potential threats in the UK. We will continue to take action as necessary to tackle those threats.

The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is of the upmost importance, and the UK will always stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong. Any foreign state-directed crime against an individual in the UK will not be tolerated. TNR can take on many forms, but acts of TNR tend to be targeted and specific against individuals who a foreign state perceives as a threat or otherwise seeks to control. This often includes vocal critics, dissidents, or activists or those connected to that foreign state.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to recent spending by Great British Energy on solar panels for use by schools and hospitals, what assessment they have made of the merits of (1) sourcing solar panels from manufacturers outside China, and (2) spending money from this scheme on creating solar panel manufacturing capacity in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

For solar projects, the Department for Education (DfE), the Department for Health & Social Care (DHSC) and their partners are procuring the solar panels in line with strict procurement controls. While these panels could come from anywhere in the world, we know that around 95% of global polysilicon, ingot and wafer production, required for the manufacture of solar panels, happens in China [1].

Whilst China has a long-established strong position in conventional solar, there are emerging opportunities in solar supply chains which the UK can capture by leaning into our strengths as a scientific and innovation superpower. Alongside Great British Energy delivering over £200m investment for local and community energy, we have several other pioneering companies developing the next generation of cutting-edge solar technologies, including perovskite and thin film. In the Solar Roadmap, we have committed to consider the case to further support companies looking to scale up the production of these parts – so that UK companies don’t just generate innovative ideas but build them as well.

^[1]Based on previous estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA): https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains/

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that Chinese-made solar panels purchased by Great British Energy for use in UK schools and hospitals have not been manufactured by slave labour; whether these purchases conform with section 3(2)(e) of Great British Energy Act 2025; and who is responsible for assessing this.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

There are strict procurement controls in place for schools and hospitals to ensure as far as possible any solar panels are free from forced labour.

This includes the Procurement Act which will enable contracting authorities to reject bids and terminate contracts with suppliers which have previously committed an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, or where there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the supplier has engaged in this conduct.

We take this issue extremely seriously and will also be placing reporting commitments around the procurement process on panels as part of the funding agreements.

Through Great British Energy we will help build the supply chains needed to support a new era of clean homegrown power, bringing jobs and investment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported honour killing in Balochistan; and how UK aid to Pakistan seeks to strengthen protections for those at risk of extra-judicial murders or subjected to violence due to their minority status, ethnic origins or religion or belief.

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

The UK Government condemns honour-based violence, including the reported case in Balochistan. Through UK Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), we are supporting progress on human rights in Pakistan through dialogue, technical assistance, and targeted programming. The UK-funded Aawaz II programme convenes influential community leaders and minority representatives to change social behaviours and promote interfaith harmony. At the community level, Aawaz II has reached over 24 million people with information and awareness about rights and government services.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Twycross on 22 July (HL Deb col 136–40), what consideration they are giving to the legal opinion by Tom Cross KC on 16 July that the Secretary of State is required to undertake a fuller investigation of the proposed acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group by Redbird Capital, having particular regard to evidence of the latter's links to China; and whether they will issue a response to that opinion.

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

The Secretary of State takes her quasi-judicial responsibilities under the Enterprise Act 2002 very seriously. She will take all relevant information available into consideration when determining whether any of the public interest tests or conditions for foreign state influence are met in any proposed purchase of the Telegraph Media Group. DCMS will keep Parliament updated on decisions relating to the transaction.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue, under Schedule 6B of the Enterprise Act 2002, a foreign state intervention notice in relation to the sale of the Telegraph Media Group to RedBird Capital Partners.

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

The Secretary of State takes her quasi-judicial responsibilities under the Enterprise Act 2002 very seriously. She will take all relevant information available into consideration when determining whether any of the public interest tests or conditions for foreign state influence are met in any proposed purchase of the Telegraph Media Group. DCMS will keep Parliament updated on decisions relating to the transaction.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the interim Syrian authorities on preventing human rights violations, protecting all Syrians, and immediately ending all forms of sectarian violence.

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

During the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Damascus he underlined the importance of an inclusive political transition and protecting the rights of all Syrians, and offered UK support in achieving this. Further to the outbreak of violence in southern Syria, he spoke to Syria's Foreign Minister, on 18 July, to express our concerns about the latest escalation and the need for a full investigation into these crimes. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the importance of improving their response to sectarian violence, protecting the rights of all Syrians, and holding all those responsible to account.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent violent sectarian conflict between ethnic groups in Syria, and what assessment they have made of the threat to Christian minorities in Syria as a result of further sectarian violence and destabilisation.

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

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Israel's involvement in the sectarian violence and clashes between Druze and other groups in Suwayda; and what efforts they are undertaking to prevent the fragmentation and territorial annexation of parts of Syria by Israel.

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

We are deeply concerned by the recent violence between different groups in southern Syria. We have been working closely with international partners to press for de-escalation and for all sides to engage in dialogue. We continue to call on Israel to respect Syria's territorial integrity, and uphold their obligations to peace, stability and security under international law. As the Foreign Secretary made clear during his call with Israel's Foreign Minister on 21 July, Israel's attacks in Damascus risk destabilising Syria. We reiterate that respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for both Syrian security and that of its neighbours. The only path to a better future for Syria is through an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political process, that respects the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnic or religious background.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the government of Israel is seeking to execute the Yinon Plan in Syria; and what steps they are taking to prevent the break up of Syria into Alawite, Kurdish, Sunni and Druze zones.

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

We are deeply concerned by the recent violence between different groups in southern Syria. We have been working closely with international partners to press for de-escalation and for all sides to engage in dialogue. We continue to call on Israel to respect Syria's territorial integrity, and uphold their obligations to peace, stability and security under international law. As the Foreign Secretary made clear during his call with Israel's Foreign Minister on 21 July, Israel's attacks in Damascus risk destabilising Syria. We reiterate that respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for both Syrian security and that of its neighbours. The only path to a better future for Syria is through an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political process, that respects the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnic or religious background.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the rights and safety of (1) Armenian, and (2) Arab Orthodox Christian, communities in Syria; what discussions they have had with interim Syrian authorities about the protection of Syria's Christian minorities; and what guarantees, if any, they received from the Syrian authorities in those discussions.

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

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what pressure they have placed upon the Syrian transitional authorities to work seriously and transparently to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased Syrian transitional process.

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

We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians. The Foreign Secretary discussed this with President al Sharaa and Foreign Minister al Shaibani when he visited Damascus on 5 July. We welcome President al Sharaa's commitment to hold free and fair elections, and the announcement of the Supreme Electoral Committee for the People's Assembly Elections. This is an important step in building legitimate legislative and electoral processes. It is vital now that the political transition proceeds in a genuinely inclusive way, is representative, and respects the rights of all Syrians. We continue to press the Syrian Government on these issues. We will judge the Syrian Government by its actions not its words.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that artisanal miners are buried in mines in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following severe flooding; and what action they are taking to mobilise international non-governmental organisations and other governments to provide equipment, medical aid and trained rescue teams.

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

The UK is saddened by reports of artisanal miners trapped underground in the Lomera gold mining site. We extend our condolences to those affected and continue to monitor the situation. The UK is working to address the underlying causes of flooding and climate vulnerability in the DRC, through programmes that aim to protect standing forests and develop nature-based solutions. The UK supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which promotes transparency and good governance in the mining sector. We are also a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, which guide extractive companies in maintaining safety.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many children have been detained in adult mental health wards (1) in total, and (2) for over 48 hours, in the past year; and what estimate they have made of the cost of removing all children from those facilities.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has confirmed that across the services, there have been a total of 12 children, all aged between 16 and 18 years old, who have been detained in adult mental health wards in the 2024/25 financial year. All 12 patients were detained for over 48 hours.

Neither the Department nor NHS England have made an estimate of the cost of removing all children and young people from these facilities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of statements made during the trial of Jimmy Lai that appear to characterise his engagement with foreign governments as a criminal act.

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

This Government has been clear that Jimmy Lai's prosecution is politically motivated and that he should be released immediately. Mr Lai's prosecution is evidence that the National Security Law is being used to silence China's critics. Diplomats have attended Jimmy Lai's trial throughout, and his case remains a major priority.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that political activists, journalists and human rights defenders, including Jimmy Lai, are protected from politically motivated prosecution or extradition from Hong Kong.

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

This Government will never allow a situation where Hong Kongers or any other nationality is extradited for politically motivated purposes. UK courts have extensive powers under the Extradition Act 2003 to assess whether any individual extradition would be compatible with the requested person's human rights or if it is politically motivated. If a UK judge ever determines any extradition request is politically motivated, they have the power to bar extradition.

The 1997 UK-Hong Kong Extradition Treaty remains suspended and the government is updating Hong Kong's designation under the Extradition Act 2003 to reflect the absence of international extradition arrangements with the UK. This formalises the severing of ties between the British and Hong Kong extradition systems for the purposes of the Extradition Act.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the criteria used to determine whether an extradition request from Hong Kong is politically motivated, particularly where charges are presented as criminal offences; and what safeguards are in place to prevent the authorities in Hong Kong from misusing criminal law as a means of targeting political opponents and seeking their extradition.

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

This Government remains resolutely committed to ensuring that no individual is extradited from the United Kingdom for politically motivated purposes, including in cases where charges are presented as criminal offences. The Extradition Act provides statutory safeguards and judicial oversight. It is for an independent UK court to determine whether any request for extradition is made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing an individual on account of their political opinions, or whether if extradited they might be prejudiced at their trial or punished, detained or restricted in their personal liberty by reason of their political opinions and, if it is, there is a statutory bar to the extradition.

The extradition process under the Extradition Act 2003 affords judicial oversight and includes the protections in the European Convention on Human Rights. In all UK extradition proceedings, the court considers whether the requested person's extradition would be compatible with their human rights. These are defined as Convention rights within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998. The court must order the requested person's discharge from their extradition proceedings if extradition would not be compatible with their Convention rights.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on UK public policy and the protection of vulnerable people of the lawsuit by Matt and Maria Raine against OpenAI over the death of their teenage son.

Answered by Lord Leong - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government is deeply concerned about every death by suicide, including those that occur following content viewed online. The government keeps all legislation under review and will act where needed to protect and support vulnerable people in society.

Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services must protect all users from in-scope illegal content and children from in-scope harmful content, such as suicide content, including where it is AI generated.

The government is committed to keeping children safe online and will not hesitate to strengthen the law where required to further protect them.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Syria concerning the direct targeting of the Druze community, including targeted killings, enforced disappearances and sexual violence; and what steps they are taking to engage with Syria and its approach to protecting religious freedom.

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

We were deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Druze and Bedouin militias in southern Syria in July, and welcomed the ceasefire brokered by the US. The former Foreign Secretary spoke with Foreign Minister al Shaibani on 18 July to raise our concerns about events in Suwayda and to press the Syrian Government to conduct a full investigation into the crimes committed. We welcome the announcement on 31 July of the formation of a committee to hold a full investigation into the violence. When the former Foreign Secretary Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, met the Foreign Minister and Justice Minister in Damascus on 27 August, he underlined the importance of accountability, including holding to account the government's own forces. We continue to advocate for an inclusive political transition and the protection of rights of all Syrians, regardless of religious or ethnic background.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether public sector contracting authorities are required to adopt scientific tools under the Procurement Act 2023 to assess the presence of forced labour in suppliers’ operations; and if so, how their use is being evaluated and whether such technology is being rolled out for more extensive use.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Abhorrent practices such as modern slavery, human trafficking and human rights abuses have no place in public supply chains or in wider society. This Government is determined to stamp this out. Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 009 ‘Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains’ encourages departments to conduct due diligence using a range of tools and approaches to assess risks. The PPN sets out key actions to identify risks and recommends the use of tools such as the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool to support departments in managing risks.

The Procurement Act 2023 also provides contracting authorities with stronger powers to exclude suppliers from public procurements where there is compelling evidence of modern slavery within their supply chains.

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

Found: Current members Attendance Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench, Life peer) (Chair) (added 5 Sep 2024

Found: Yours, Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

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

Found: State 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office Professor the Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: The Baroness Levitt KC Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice The Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: London SW1A 2DY The Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Street London SW1A 2AH Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk Our ref: MC2025/26307 The Lord Alton of Liverpool

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

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

Found: Founder & President Emeritus: Baroness Cox  Patrons: Lord Alton of Liverpool; Lord Singh of Wimbledon

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

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

Found: 21: Letter from Baroness Bull and Lord Tarassenko 63 Proposal 22: Letter from Lord Crisp, Lord Alton of Liverpool

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

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

Found: Yours Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights 9 Ministry

Found: In the absence of Lord Alton of Liverpool, Sir Desmond Swayne was called to the Chair.

Found: The Government thanks the Joint Committee on Human Rights (“JCHR”) and its Chair the Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Security Minister 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office The Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: FAO: UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights 29th July 2025 Dear Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice The Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: include provision for funding for legal representation.60 In a letter dated 11 April 2025 to Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: families 10 Commons Library Debate Pack, 4 August 2025 In a letter dated 11 April 2025 to Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: After Clause 45 LORD GERMAN BARONESS BRINTON LORD ALTON OF LIVERPOOL 151_ After Clause 45, insert

Found: After Clause 45 LORD GERMAN BARONESS BRINTON LORD ALTON OF LIVERPOOL 151_ After Clause 45, insert

Found: Mr Jarvis also made these points in a letter to Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), chair of the Joint

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 14 October 2025 and is intended to repeal and replace various aspects of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, as well as to reform and supplement the wider approach of dealing with the legacy of the Troubles. The Joint Committee on Human Rights is scrutinising the Bill’s compatibility with human rights. The Government also laid its draft remedial order concerning Northern Ireland legacy on 14 October 2025 and the Joint Committee on Human Rights is scrutinising that remedial order separately.