Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what their reasons were for departing from the recommendations of the then Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission Report (2015) that there should be a Holocaust Learning Centre bringing together a network of the UK’s existing Holocaust education partners, including a lecture theatre and classrooms, and the Imperial War Museum’s Holocaust Exhibition, upgraded and expanded.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government proposes to establish a national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre at Victoria Tower Gardens adjacent to the Houses of Parliament. The Learning Centre will provide facilities to host lectures and seminars and to run educational courses and workshops, working closely with the network of Holocaust Education partners in the UK and internationally.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the continuing inability of Chagossians to return to Diego Garcia and the compliance with international human rights law of their current situation.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As a result of the agreement reached on 3 October, we intend that Chagossians will be able to access the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, under a new programme of visits to be established by the UK and Mauritius as soon as possible. This was a priority for the UK in negotiations. Mauritius has additionally confirmed its intention to launch a programme of resettlement for the Archipelago. This will not include Diego Garcia, reflecting its status as an active military base with no permanent population.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government in the light of the Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality, published for the Secretary-General on 20 April, what assessment they have made of subsequent reports, and videos, of UNRWA's involvement with Hamas and its infrastructure.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We take these reports seriously and are following up with United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to establish the facts. We expect UNRWA to meet the highest standards of neutrality as laid out in Catherine Colonna's report, including staff vetting. We welcome UNRWA's decisive action and support their decision to terminate the contracts of individuals involved in the October 7 atrocities. Catherine Colonna's review found that UNRWA had policies and procedures in place to ensure the organisation's neutrality. The FCDO speaks regularly to UNRWA and to other international donors on UNRWA management reforms, including at their bi-annual Advisory Commission meeting that met in June.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what information is held by the Consul General in Jerusalem on reported Hamas involvement in UNRWA.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We have taken a close interest in the allegations of Hamas involvement in United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and subsequent investigations, on behalf of His Majesty's Government. We welcome UNRWA's decisive action and support their decision to terminate contracts of individuals involved in the October 7 atrocities. Anyone who participated in the horrific October 7 attacks should face the full force of the law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to monitor UNRWA; and to ensure that international development funds do not indirectly support terrorist organisations.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government is confident that United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is taking action to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality and is strengthening its procedures. £1 million of the £21 million of new UK funding will be earmarked to support UNRWA to implement the management reforms recommended by the Colonna review. Together with other donors, we will continue to monitor UNRWA's progress on implementation of its action plan. The FCDO will also continue to conduct our own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration has been given to the construction of an emergency exit from the underground Holocaust Learning Centre planned for Victoria Tower Gardens.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Plans for the national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre include an enclosed emergency escape stair leading to the escape exit at ground level. Escape plans have been approved by independent Building Inspectors at the appropriate stages of design, and reviewed by the London Fire Brigade.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Network Rail’s management of the replacement of the bridge at Oxford station, with reference to its effects on local residents, disabled people and businesses; and when they expect the work to be completed.

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

Network Rail and Great Western Railway are executing plans to mitigate the impacts of the closure of Botley Road on station users, the wider public and businesses during the current closure of Botley Road. Work is underway to provide additional support for persons with reduced mobility as well as improvements to wayfinding, lighting and access to the station. Network Rail is working with Thames Water to produce a plan to complete critical utility works and to re-open the road. I have promised to meet stakeholders with Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, as soon as there is a robust plan in place to complete the works. In the meantime, we welcome all further ideas on the most effective ways of mitigating the effects of the delays on local people, businesses and railway passengers, as we understand and regret the delays in delivering the works and the effect this is having.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to combating (1) antisemitism, and (2) anti-Zionism, in designing the contents of the planned Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens; and whether they have carried out an impact assessment of (a) that centre, or (b) any other Holocaust museum or memorial.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Learning Centre will set the Holocaust within a context that includes the history of antisemitism, including the antisemitism experienced by Jewish communities in Britain over many centuries. The scope and content of the Learning Centre exhibition will be developed by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, drawing on a wide range of external advice and expertise.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any inconsistency between the diplomatic pronouncements of (1) the Consul General in Jerusalem, and (2) the British embassy in Israel; and what plans they have, if any, to ensure such statements are consistent.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The British Embassy in Tel Aviv and British Consulate General in Jerusalem work closely together as part of one diplomatic network to press for an immediate ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict. We do not agree that there have been any inconsistencies between public statements by either mission, both of which represent the policies of the UK Government. We condemn personal attacks on individual members of our diplomatic staff, and reject attempts to portray differences in position which do not exist. An immediate ceasefire is the first step towards a lasting solution. Both the Embassy and Consulate General remain open and continue to work as normal, including providing services to British nationals.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reconsider their funding of UNRWA, in the light of reports that (1) Ismail Haniyeh, and a bodyguard of Yahyah Sinwar, were both former UNRWA teachers; and (2) UNRWA staff have stolen food intended for Gazans.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We were appalled by the allegations that those involved in the 7 October attacks against Israel may have included United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) staff. The Secretary-General and the Commissioner General of UNRWA took these allegations seriously and acted decisively. We expect robust processes to continue to be followed. UNRWA must meet the highest standards of neutrality as laid out in Catherine Colonna's report, including staff vetting and acting swiftly when concerns arise. The UK has allocated £1 million to support UNRWA to implement the report's recommendations. The FCDO will continue its own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA, which plays a vital role in saving lives in Gaza. We separately note that UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed on 17 October that allegations a staff member died alongside former Hamas leader Yahyah Sinwar were unfounded. We have not received reports of UNRWA staff stealing food, nor are we aware of allegations regarding Ismail Haniyeh being reported to UNWRA.

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