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 UN Watch report From Watchdogs to Ideologues, published in May, that between 7 October 2023 and 18 March 2026, the UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures issued 148 statements concerning Israel, compared with 64 concerning Russia's war in Ukraine and 24 concerning the conflict in Sudan; and whether they will seek an independent assessment of the consistency, proportionality and evidential basis of such reporting across different countries and conflicts.
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly supports the important role of the Special Procedures system as an independent mechanism for monitoring and reporting on human rights situations worldwide. Special Procedures mandate holders are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and serve in their personal capacity as independent experts. The UK has long had concerns at the UN Human Rights Council's focus on Israel under Item Seven- the only agenda item focused on one country.
All Special Procedures mandate holders should adhere to the code of conduct for their roles. Along with several other countries, we have raised concerns about a series of comments made by the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ministers have raised these concerns directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UK continues to press that the comments of the Special Rapporteur be investigated against the Code of Conduct for her post, and for action to be taken to restore the confidence of the international community in the independence and objectivity of this important role.
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 report by former UN special rapporteur on torture Alice Jill Edwards regarding alleged anti-Israel bias and inconsistent standards among UN human rights experts; and whether they intend to make representations to the UN concerning the impartiality and professional conduct of UN special rapporteurs and the promotion of independent mechanisms for investigation of alleged bias or misconduct on their part.
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly supports the important role of the Special Procedures system as an independent mechanism for monitoring and reporting on human rights situations worldwide. Special Procedures mandate holders are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and serve in their personal capacity as independent experts. The UK has long had concerns at the UN Human Rights Council's focus on Israel under Item Seven- the only agenda item focused on one country.
All Special Procedures mandate holders should adhere to the code of conduct for their roles. Along with several other countries, we have raised concerns about a series of comments made by the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ministers have raised these concerns directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UK continues to press that the comments of the Special Rapporteur be investigated against the Code of Conduct for her post, and for action to be taken to restore the confidence of the international community in the independence and objectivity of this important role.
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 accountability mechanisms available to address alleged breaches of impartiality, professional conduct or financial disclosure requirements by UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures mandate-holders; and what reforms they will support to ensure that substantiated breaches are investigated independently and transparently and result in appropriate consequences.
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly supports the important role of the Special Procedures system as an independent mechanism for monitoring and reporting on human rights situations worldwide. Special Procedures mandate holders are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and serve in their personal capacity as independent experts. The UK has long had concerns at the UN Human Rights Council's focus on Israel under Item Seven- the only agenda item focused on one country.
All Special Procedures mandate holders should adhere to the code of conduct for their roles. Along with several other countries, we have raised concerns about a series of comments made by the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ministers have raised these concerns directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UK continues to press that the comments of the Special Rapporteur be investigated against the Code of Conduct for her post, and for action to be taken to restore the confidence of the international community in the independence and objectivity of this important role.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether vice-chancellors of UK universities have published the data on the scale and prevalence of antisemitism on university campuses that they committed to publish following the Antisemitism Summit on 5 May; and what discussions they have had with the Office for Students about the publication of this data.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Universities must tackle antisemitic abuse swiftly and decisively. Following the 5 May Antisemitism Summit, the government made clear that universities should publish anonymised data on antisemitic incidents and the action taken in response to improve transparency and accountability.
A recent Universities UK survey found that while some institutions publish information on incidents and outcomes, practice varies across the sector. Data protection concerns, particularly where small numbers could lead to individuals being identified, can present barriers to greater transparency.
The department is working with Universities UK, the Office for Students, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and the Union of Jewish Students to consider the findings, share good practice and encourage greater transparency and consistency across the sector.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the PATHWAYS trial of puberty blockers has commenced; on what date it will be completed; when it is expected that the results will be published; and for what period of time the longer term follow-up of the participants into adulthood will continue.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 30 October in response to Question 36713, which for ease of reference, is reproduced below, and to the research protocol for the PATHWAYS clinical trial, a copy of which is attached.
As with all clinical trials, the PATHWAYS trial is subject to the reporting requirements set out in the International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice standards, and to the requirements provided under The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
The research team on the trial is currently working to complete the set-up of the study prior to the start of recruitment. Once under way, the research team will work closely with the advisory boards and other stakeholders to ensure all their findings are accessible and clearly communicated to patients, families, and the general public, alongside dissemination to the scientific community and policy makers.
There is no current plan to publish detailed breakdowns of the trial cohort as suggested by the Hon. Member, in order to protect the safety and anonymity of participants. However, an independent Data Monitoring and Ethics Committee will uphold the safety, rights, and well-being of the study participants and consider the need for any interim analysis.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they recognise the Palestinian Authority as the government of Palestine and Mahmoud Abbas as its leader; and what assessment they have made of the constitutional legitimacy of Mahmoud Abbas' Presidency.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK recognised the State of Palestine on 21 September 2025. We work closely with the Palestinian Authority and engage regularly with President Abbas. We recognise the Palestinian Authority as the governing authority in Palestine and maintain a close relationship with it. Strengthening Palestinian governance is essential to continue building the institutional foundations of a viable two-state solution.
We have expressed regret at the postponement of Palestinian Authority elections - Joint statement on the postponement of Palestinian elections: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-the-postponement-of-palestinian-elections
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of commissioning civil service training from universities and specialist providers instead of KPMG and EY; and whether they will publish that assessment.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I refer to the answer I gave on 9 October to question UIN HL2835 copied below for ease.
The National School of Government and Public Services will provide world-class learning and development for civil servants, supporting public sector excellence and preparing our people for the future. Our new in-house delivery model will move away from reliance on professional services firms, ensuring learning is designed and delivered by civil servants for civil servants, working with the best external training providers, including universities.
In the meantime, the EY and KPMG contracts include the option of commissioning UK universities and specialist training providers to deliver training to the Civil Service.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wood of Anfield on 2 October (HL3532), who they recognise as the government of Palestine and where that government is located.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK recognised the State of Palestine on 21 September 2025. We did this to protect the viability of a two-state solution and create a path towards lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. The UK reiterates the centrality of the Palestinian Authority as the legitimate governing entity in Palestine. The UK also supports the vital work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza as it transitions governance and security control from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
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 Lord Wood of Anfield on 22 September (HL3235) and 28 September (HL3236), why the policies of engagement, solutions and compromise outlined in relation to the situations in Cyprus and Morocco are not adopted in relation to Israel and the imposition of sanctions on West Bank settlements.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK engages regularly with the Government of Israel and Palestine in support of a negotiated two-state solution. The contexts in Cyprus and Morocco are each unique scenarios that should be assessed and understood in their own contexts. Our announcement on 8 September is driven by our policy on illegal Israeli settlements and our support for the two-state solution.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of alternative delivery models, including direct commissioning from UK universities and specialist training providers, before awarding new Civil Service learning and development contracts to KPMG and EY.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The National School of Government and Public Services will provide world-class learning and development for civil servants, supporting public sector excellence and preparing our people for the future. Our new in-house delivery model will move away from reliance on professional services firms, ensuring learning is designed and delivered by civil servants for civil servants, working with the best external training providers, including universities.
In the meantime, the EY and KPMG contracts include the option of commissioning UK universities and specialist training providers to deliver training to the Civil Service.