Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Ofcom about the BBC’s compliance with its Charter obligations of impartiality and accuracy of news for home and overseas audiences.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
DCMS Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues.
It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to ensure the BBC is fulfilling its obligations to audiences, including on impartiality and accuracy, as outlined in the Charter.
Ofcom does not have any functions in relation to the BBC World Service. The BBC agrees objectives, priorities and targets for the World Service directly with the Government.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court decision in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Prime Minister and the government have been clear that everyone should follow the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] Supreme Court judgment.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission - as the independent regulator - has submitted a draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations. This will provide guidance to relevant duty bearers on how they should comply with the Equality Act 2010 following the Supreme Court judgment.
The Government is considering the updated draft Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Code will be laid before Parliament for a 40-day period.
In the meantime, we expect service providers to follow the law as clarified by this judgment and seek specialist legal advice where necessary.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October (HL10875 and HL10876), and with reference to the Montevideo Convention and international law regarding recognition of a state, who they recognise as the government of the state of Palestine; where that government is located; and what are the boundaries of that state.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Palestinian Authority is the legitimate governing authority of the Palestinian state. The UK recognises Palestinian statehood over provisional borders, based on 1967 lines with equal land swaps, to be finalised as part of future negotiations.
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 effect of executions and assertion of control in Gaza by Hamas on the prospects for success of the peace process and of Palestinian statehood.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I provided on 21 October to Question HL10148.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports of death threats made against a professor at City St George's, what steps they are taking to protect university professors from intimidation and violence, and to hold students who engage in violent or intimidating behaviour to account.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The campaign against a professor at City St George’s University is unacceptable. Antisemitic abuse has no place in our lecture halls, on campus or anywhere else.
Where a student has been found to be responsible for racially motivated harassment, intimidation or incitement to violence, the department expects universities to act swiftly and use the full force of their disciplinary powers, involving the police where necessary.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has written to the professor to offer her support, and senior officials have met with the Vice Chancellor. I am pleased that the University’s Senior Leadership Team has publicly affirmed its support for the professor and has taken swift steps to protect his safety on campus.
We are supporting universities to address antisemitism on campuses through the Tackling Antisemitism in Education programme, with Government-funded training for university staff commencing soon.
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 findings of the report Schools in the Grip of Terror, published by UN Watch in September; and what plans they have to review the funding provided to UNRWA by the UK.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK Government takes these allegations seriously and expects the UN to investigate these claims. We continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) work on reform and implementation of the Colonna Report to ensure they meet the highest standards on neutrality and integrity. The UK remains committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees, while ensuring that aid does not contribute to incitement or extremism. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, whether they intend to call on that state (1) to admit the Palestinian refugees living in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan; and (2) to grant them Palestinian citizenship.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their formal recognition of the state of Palestine, what consideration they have given to the status of "refugee" hitherto applied to residents of Gaza and the West Bank.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK's recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what boundaries they recognise for the state of Palestine.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government who they recognise as the government of the state of Palestine, and where it is located.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the delivery of its reform programme, including the commitment to hold elections.