Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the recent publication of the 2021 Census, whether they have made any forecast of when they estimate that the local authority population of Birmingham will be majority Muslim.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
His Majesty's Government does not produce religion-based population projections / forecasts.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation to require (1) property owners, (2) developers, and (3) building firms, to pay compensation to neighbours affected by (a) noise, (b) vibrations, (c) dust, (d) lost or diminished letting income, (e) over-run of time to complete projects, and (f) diminished property values, while building works are in prospect or progress.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
This Government supports construction activity, which is crucial to delivering much needed housing as well as infrastructure and other development necessary to sustain and grow our communities. This is why we have taken steps for a temporary period during the Covid pandemic to encourage planning authorities to take a flexible approach to enforcement of breaches of conditioned construction working hours. However, we recognise the disruption that noise, vibration and dust can have on neighbours which is why these changes do not alter authorities' legal obligations under the existing statutory environmental health framework. I can confirm that the Government has no intention of introducing compensation schemes in respect of building activity.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which local authorities have authorised the broadcasting by loudspeaker of the Muslim call to prayer; and what assessment have they made of the effect of such broadcasts on community cohesion.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
We understand that some Mosques across the country have been given permission to broadcast the call to prayer, particularly during Ramadan, due to the closure of all Places of Worship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Places of Worship play an important role in spiritual and mental health for many, and in bringing our communities together, which is why we want to reopen them as soon as we can. Local councils understand best the needs of their communities and it is a matter for them to work with their local community. We will continue to engage with stakeholders on matters relating to integration, and the Government remains committed to building strong integrated communities.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist on 9 March (HL2003) and the remarks by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 13 February (HL Deb, col 2339), what assessment, if any, they have made of Imam Qari Asim’s views on freedom of speech, as reported in The Times on 9 February; and of any impact such views may have on his role as an independent adviser to the Government.
Answered by Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist
Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right and one which must be upheld and defended. Equally, freedom of speech is the foundation of a healthy society, allowing for debate and disagreement, underpinned by those values that bind people together – tolerance, equality and fairness. It is important that all have the right to speak freely, and provide legitimate criticism, and that a strong legal framework provides the appropriate space to do so. The Government will continue to protect people’s legitimate rights and freedoms whilst also remaining committed to tackling hate crime. We are confident that all our advisers uphold high standards and strongly advocate British values.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist on 9 March (HL2003), to which ''abhorrent hate crime' Viscount Younger of Leckie was referring on 13 February (HL Deb, col 2339); and whether the police are investigating that crime.
Answered by Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist
The abhorrent hate crime which Viscount Younger of Leckie referred to was posted publicly on Imam Qari Asim’s twitter account. I understand the incident has been reported to the police, where appropriate and proportionate action will be taken in response. We are proud to have some of the strongest legislation in the world to tackle hate crime.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the response by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 13 February (HL Deb, col 2339), on what grounds the reports about Qari Asim were considered to be an “abhorrent hate crime”; and whether the police are investigating such reports as a hate crime.
Answered by Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist
The phrase of “abhorrent hate crime” was used by Viscount Younger of Leckie in reference to the abusive messages that were sent to Imam Qari Asim on Twitter following the report in The Sunday Times rather the report itself. Reported hate crime incidents are investigated by the police who take appropriate and proportionate action in response to them. We are proud to have some of the strongest legislation in the world to tackle hate crime.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims' working definition of Islamophobia, as set out in its report Islamophobia defined: the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia, published in November 2018, on (1) the efficacy of counter-extremism and integration policies, (2) the ability to study, investigate and criticise political and radical Islam, and (3) community relations, in particular for moderate or liberal Muslims and the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
We are examining the options for a definition of Islamophobia and intend to examine this issue through the newly appointed Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group. Any such approach would need to be considered carefully to ensure that this would have the positive effect intended.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims Islamophobia defined: the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia, published in November 2018; and what assessment they have made of whether the evidence that was used in that report was balanced and objective.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
We are aware that some have suggested that establishing a definition of Islamophobia could strengthen efforts to confront bigotry and division. We are examining the options for an agreed definition of Islamophobia and intend to develop this through the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 5 and 19 December (HL11727 and HL12195), whether they will now answer the question put, namely what support they will give to Nissar Hussein and his family and others who have left the Islamic faith and are facing persecution in the UK.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
Britain has a strong legal framework and police provisions in place to support its values of tolerance, freedom of worship, and the rule of law, and to protect individuals or groups who may be vulnerable. It is therefore only left for the Government to yet again reiterate that anyone facing crime, the threat of crime, or any sort of harassment, for any reason, should report to the police. The Government is committed to ensuring that victims of all crimes have access to the support services they need to help them cope with and, as far as possible, recover from the effects of crime. In 2017/18 roughly £200 million from multiple pots across government was used to fund a range of both local and national commissioning of support services for victims of crime.
Asked by: Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 5 December (HL11727), what support they will give to Nissar Hussain and his family and others who have left the Islamic faith and are facing persecution in the UK.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Government reiterates that everyone in Britain has the right to feel safe and at ease in the place where they live. Any individual or group is free to express views and beliefs, but have a duty to behave responsibly and to respect other people’s rights as defined by the law. Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, democracy, the rule of law, and equal rights define us as a society, and the Government is determined to promote these values. Britain has a strong legal framework in place to deal with hate crimes, and these must be reported to the police.