Iran: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Debate between Baroness Butler-Sloss and Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Thursday 2nd February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

As so often, I agree with the noble Lord.

[Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)]

My Lords, the child is, I understand, entirely a British subject. What are the Government doing about a British subject being held in Iran?

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, we—I at this Dispatch Box and also colleagues in another place—have made it clear that we stand ready to facilitate the return of Gabriella to this country. She is indeed solely a British citizen, and we stand ready to assist if the family asks us to do so.

Safeguarding Children: British Overseas Territories

Debate between Baroness Butler-Sloss and Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Wednesday 13th April 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Butler-Sloss]

My Lords, the Minister is no doubt aware that some of the overseas territories have laws on family issues which are considerably behind the laws of this country. To what extent are the Government giving assistance to having a modern version of the Children Act in some of those countries?

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

The noble and learned Baroness has long professional experience in these matters. In October last year, our Solicitor-General chaired a successful conference of overseas territories Attorneys-General. This was to provide an important forum for encouraging progress on our priorities for the OTs and delivering our obligations for supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice, including matters of reform such as those she refers to.