Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the legal implications of the Podchasov v Russia European Court of Human Rights judgment; and what assessment they have made of the risk that Ofcom's power to issue Technology Notices under section 121 of the Online Safety Act 2023 could create vulnerabilities exploitable by hostile states.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The impugned legislation in Podchasov v. Russia is not directly comparable to the Online Safety Act, which contains robust protections for privacy and freedom of expression. A memorandum on ECHR compatibility was published during Bill passage.

Section 121 of the Act contains stringent safeguards ensuring that Ofcom’s power to issue Technology Notices, including relating to child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) content communicated privately, can only be used when necessary and proportionate. Ofcom must consider a range of matters, including whether there are less intrusive alternatives, the harm to individuals and the required technology’s ability to achieve the purpose described.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent diplomatic discussions they have had with their international counterparts to ensure the promotion of freedom of religion or belief in Morocco.

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

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief for all, and we maintain that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. We engage on these issues with the Moroccan Government and authorities on a regular basis.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have taken to ensure that Great British Railways will treat all its retail market participants, including the Great British Railways retailing unit, on a fair, equal and non-discriminatory basis.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to a fair and open rail retail market, in which Great British Railways (GBR) will sell tickets alongside, and compete with, independent retailers. Moreover, the retail industry management functions currently performed by the Rail Delivery Group will move to GBR.

To ensure fairness when GBR takes on these functions, the Government has announced a range of safeguards, including an industry code of practice. The code of practice will incorporate clear requirements for how GBR interacts with all market participants and impose separation of decision-making where relevant. It will be owned and managed by the Office of Rail and Road, and GBR’s licence will require compliance with it.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what enforcement mechanism will be available to the Office of Rail and Road should Great British Railways breach the new statutory code of practice for ticket retailing anticipated under the Railways Bill.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Great British Railways’ (GBR’s) licence will require it to comply with the code of practice, which will be owned and managed by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR).

To ensure that GBR abides by the rules set out in the code of practice, affected third parties will be able challenge any decisions or actions they consider to be noncompliant, by raising them directly with the ORR. The ORR will be required to investigate and, if it considers that GBR has not complied, it will be able to demand corrective action by issuing binding orders on GBR.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish the new Road Safety Strategy.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government intends to publish the Road Safety Strategy this year.