Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of India regarding freedom of religion or belief in that country, and what other steps they are taking to support freedom of religion or belief there.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The Government remains committed to promoting and protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) globally, and we continue to support civil society organisations and faith leaders who work to foster tolerance and inclusion. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy on FoRB, David Smith MP, plays an important role in championing religious freedom globally. We continue to monitor reports of religiously motivated violence and discrimination and raise concerns where appropriate, encouraging adherence to constitutional and international human rights commitments.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); and what representations they have made to the governments of the DRC and Rwanda regarding commitments to implementing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

In February 2025, the UK introduced policy measures on Rwanda in response to developments in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UK continues to encourage all parties to meaningfully engage with peace processes and implement agreed commitments. I delivered this message during my visits to Kigali in October 2025, and to the Democratic Republic of Congo in March of this year. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations as to do so would risk weakening their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to imposing sanctions on the Rwandan army and key military officials for supporting, training and fighting alongside the March 23 Movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

In February 2025, the UK introduced policy measures on Rwanda in response to developments in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The UK continues to encourage all parties to meaningfully engage with peace processes and implement agreed commitments. I delivered this message during my visits to Kigali in October 2025, and to the Democratic Republic of Congo in March of this year. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations as to do so would risk weakening their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to facilitate (1) humanitarian aid delivery, and (2) the safe passage of civilians, in South Kivu's Hauts Plateaux in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK Government recognises that the humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is critical and we call on all parties to fully comply with International Humanitarian Law, including ensuring the protection of civilians and guaranteeing safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access. Last year, we provided £103 million in humanitarian and peacebuilding funding to eastern DRC and the wider region. In March, along with the Minister for Africa, I met with humanitarian organisations delivering UK-funded assistance and announced an additional £7.3 million in support for communities affected by the escalating conflict.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of India regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, and in particular about the impact the Bill would have on poor and vulnerable citizens in India, and those who depend on charity from overseas.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK is aware that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have faced significant difficulties due to the application of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, and that some have had applications to renew their foreign funding licenses rejected.  We are continuing to monitor these developments and assessing their impact on UK Government-funded programmes and the work of British NGOs in India. However, it will remain for the Government of India to determine its own legislative and regulatory framework.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the guidance on the Down Syndrome Act 2022 will be published; and what steps they have taken to protect the legal rights of those with Down syndrome until the publication of the guidance.

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

The consultation on the draft statutory guidance under the Down Syndrome Act 2022 closed on 30 March 2026. The Government is required to carefully consider the responses received to inform the final guidance to be published.

In the meantime, relevant authorities remain bound by existing legal duties. The act brings together existing statutory requirements and guidance that relevant authorities must and/or should already comply with to support people with Down syndrome.

Under the Equality Act 2010, health and social care organisations must make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not disadvantaged and must have due to regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty when exercising their functions. NHS England statutory guidance, published on 9 May 2023, also states that every integrated care board (ICB) should identify a board member to lead on supporting the ICB to perform its functions effectively in the interest of people with Down syndrome.

Found: Knight of Weymouth Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge Lord Storey Lord Tarassenko The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Weymouth Lord McNally Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge Lord Storey Lord Tarassenko The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Weymouth Lord McNally Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge Lord Storey Lord Tarassenko The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Q8 The Lord Bishop of Winchester: Do you have any comment about the potential role of the ICO?

Found: Apologies were received from Lord Holmes of Richmond, Lord McNally, Lord Storey and The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Apologies and notices Apologies were received from Lord Holmes of Richmond and the Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Apologies were received from Baroness Fleet, Lord Holmes of Richmond, Lord McNally and The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay, Lord Holmes of Richmond, Lord Knight of Weymouth and The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: and notices Apologies were received from Baroness Fleet, Lord Holmes of Richmond and The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Harrogate Lord McNally Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge Lord Storey Lord Tarassenko The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Harrogate; Lord McNally; Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge; Lord Storey; Lord Tarassenko; The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: Kirkhope of Harrogate; Lord McNally; Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge; Lord Tarassenko; The Lord Bishop of Winchester

Found: The Committee considered and agreed, having received a representation, that the Lord Bishop of Winchester

This inquiry will examine whether the Online Safety Act has begun to make online services safer for UK users. The Committee will consider Ofcom's implementation and enforcement of the Act's provisions, the changes made by regulated online services, and what further action may be needed to improve the UK's online safety regime.