Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their definition of "Holocaust" for the purposes of the learning centre planned for Victoria Tower Gardens by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation; and to which genocides the learning centre will seek to make reference.
Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
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. Further information can be found on the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation website page and in their mission statement: UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation - GOV.UK
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Khan of Burnley on 20 December 2024 (HL3595), what is the current estimated cost of building a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens; how much private funding has been secured for the memorial; and what efficiencies of cost, if any, they are considering.
Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Estimated costs and the expected charitable donations were set out in the Written statement of 28 June 2023 by Baroness Scott of Bybrook [Statement HLWS875].
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to give consideration to the options for reform set out by the Law Commission in its scoping report Financial remedies on divorce and dissolution (HC 460), published on 17 December.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is grateful to the Law Commission for its work on this important and complex area. We will carefully consider the details and will provide a response in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s request to departments to identify 5 per cent efficiency savings, what consideration has been given to economies in the cost of constructing a planned underground Holocaust Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens.
Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is seeking Parliament’s approval of the Holocaust Memorial Bill with a view to constructing the UK national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
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.