Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues

Lord Pickles Excerpts

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. The special envoy reports to the Minister for Human Rights, and we have answered a number of questions about the extensive work that he has undertaken. I might suggest, because I know the special envoy is certainly willing to do this, that he briefs Peers on the work that has been undertaken so far and on future work that is being planned. I hope that might be helpful to Peers, because I know there is a lot of interest in this and it is right that we draw attention to the work that the special envoy has done.

[Lord Pickles (Con)]

My Lords, for 10 years I was the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues. I commend to the House the work of my successor, Jon Pearce, who has done a remarkable job. However, the noble Lord hits the nail on the head: there is no restitution in Poland that is recognised. That is not an accident; it is a deliberate policy of its Government. I ask the Minister for another attempt at the highest level of government between ourselves, the United States and the European community to press upon Poland the need for action, because this remains a stain on that great nation’s reputation.

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question and for the work that he did as special envoy. I wonder if it might be helpful if he came along to the briefing as well, because it is important to show the continuity between the work that he did and the work that Jon Pearce is doing as the current special envoy. The noble Lord makes an important point. I emphasise again that the special envoy recently agreed a co-ordinated approach to Holocaust-era restitution in Poland with his US counterpart. He also raised the issue directly with the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw. With international partners—it is important that that is how we do this—we continue to press Poland to confront this historic injustice and deliver a fair, comprehensive and final settlement of outstanding restitution claims.