Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) for the contents of the Learning Centre to be attached to the UK Holocaust Memorial, and (2) to specify the populations whose genocides are to be commemorated therein.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The main focus of the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre's exhibition content is to ensure that the story of what happened during the unique events of the Holocaust resonates with the public. This will include raising questions about Britain's role at the time. The content will also address genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the written answer by Baroness Scott of Bybrook on 21 April (HL6913) relating to the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, whether they will set out the measurement in square metres of each of the items (a) to (g) in item 9 of the table included in that answer.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The measurements for the items in 9) are:
Area to be enclosed to ensure the security of the Centre |
| 1412 m2 |
Of which…. |
|
|
Entrance pavilion | 113 m2 |
|
Courtyard and ramp into the Learning Centre | 1058 m2 |
|
Associated hard standing | 48 m2 |
|
Service access | 4 m2 |
|
Access paths | 53 m2 |
|
The parts of the mound not accessible to the public (fins and ha-ha) | 153 m2 |
|
|
|
|
Service elements of café building |
| 17 m2 |
|
|
|
Total surface area to be occupied by Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre |
| 1429 m2 |
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 Ahmad of Wimbledon on 4 April (HL6671), what guidance is given to British diplomats on maintaining political impartiality when they are acting privately in a public setting, as distinct from carrying out their diplomatic responsibilities.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
British diplomats are respected around the world because of the high standards to which they hold themselves, of which the Diplomatic Service Code is a key part. The private conduct of British diplomats is governed by the Diplomatic Service Code, contained in the Diplomatic Service Regulations (DSRs) as DSR1. DSR36 of these Regulations also highlights the requirements relating to political activity.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the size in square metres of (1) the current playground in Victoria Tower Gardens, (2) the intended new playground, (3) the intended new café, and (4) the part of the current playground to be occupied by UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre ticketing and associated works.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Extensive information about the design of the proposed Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre was considered at the Planning Inquiry in October 2020 and remains publicly available on Westminster City Council’s website. The additional detail requested is set out in the table below and to provide further assistance and to illustrate the answers I am placing the three source documents in the Library:
| Question | Answer | Source |
1 | The floor area in square metres of the proposed underground construction of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | 3258 m2 * (includes 373m2 of unusable spaces such as voids, risers and areas with limited headroom) * all areas are gross internal floor area (GIFA) i.e. excluding external walls. | GIA & Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
2 | Percentage of the underground area that will be used for exhibitions and public space as part of the Learning Centre. | 52.85% Mezzanine Level Lobby (103m2) Learning Centre (349 m2) Basement Level Threshold (314m2) Learning Centre (956 m2) Total = 1722 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
3 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole, that will be enclosed to guarantee security around the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in addition to the area occupied by the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre itself. | Zero as an addition to the 1429 m2 occupied by the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
4 | Proportion of (3) | Zero | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
5 | Size in sqm of the current playground in Victoria Tower Gardens | 1010 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
6 | Size in sqm of the intended new playground | 945 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
7 | Size in sqm of the intended new café | 15 m2 Café/Kiosk 38 m2 including generator and storage | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
8 | Size in sqm of the part of the current playground to be occupied by UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre ticketing and associated works | 23m2 Café/Kiosk generator and storage. Zero occupied by ticketing operations in the Entrance Pavilion. Footfall area 155 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule Playground Area Adjustment |
9 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole that will be occupied by the intended UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, including (a) the entrance pavilion, (b) courtyard and ramp into the Learning Centre, (c) associated hard standing, (d) service access, (e) new access paths, (f) the parts of the mound not accessible to the public, and (g) areas to be enclosed to ensure the security of the Centre. | 1429 m2 | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
10 | Proportion of (9) | 7.58% | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what (1) area in square metres, and (2) proportion of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole, will be enclosed to guarantee security around the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in addition to the area occupied by the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre itself.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Extensive information about the design of the proposed Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre was considered at the Planning Inquiry in October 2020 and remains publicly available on Westminster City Council’s website. The additional detail requested is set out in the table below and to provide further assistance and to illustrate the answers I am placing the three source documents in the Library:
| Question | Answer | Source |
1 | The floor area in square metres of the proposed underground construction of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | 3258 m2 * (includes 373m2 of unusable spaces such as voids, risers and areas with limited headroom) * all areas are gross internal floor area (GIFA) i.e. excluding external walls. | GIA & Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
2 | Percentage of the underground area that will be used for exhibitions and public space as part of the Learning Centre. | 52.85% Mezzanine Level Lobby (103m2) Learning Centre (349 m2) Basement Level Threshold (314m2) Learning Centre (956 m2) Total = 1722 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
3 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole, that will be enclosed to guarantee security around the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in addition to the area occupied by the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre itself. | Zero as an addition to the 1429 m2 occupied by the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
4 | Proportion of (3) | Zero | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
5 | Size in sqm of the current playground in Victoria Tower Gardens | 1010 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
6 | Size in sqm of the intended new playground | 945 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
7 | Size in sqm of the intended new café | 15 m2 Café/Kiosk 38 m2 including generator and storage | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
8 | Size in sqm of the part of the current playground to be occupied by UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre ticketing and associated works | 23m2 Café/Kiosk generator and storage. Zero occupied by ticketing operations in the Entrance Pavilion. Footfall area 155 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule Playground Area Adjustment |
9 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole that will be occupied by the intended UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, including (a) the entrance pavilion, (b) courtyard and ramp into the Learning Centre, (c) associated hard standing, (d) service access, (e) new access paths, (f) the parts of the mound not accessible to the public, and (g) areas to be enclosed to ensure the security of the Centre. | 1429 m2 | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
10 | Proportion of (9) | 7.58% | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the floor area in square metres of the proposed underground construction of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre; and what percentage of this underground area will be used for exhibitions and public space as part of the Learning Centre.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Extensive information about the design of the proposed Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre was considered at the Planning Inquiry in October 2020 and remains publicly available on Westminster City Council’s website. The additional detail requested is set out in the table below and to provide further assistance and to illustrate the answers I am placing the three source documents in the Library:
| Question | Answer | Source |
1 | The floor area in square metres of the proposed underground construction of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | 3258 m2 * (includes 373m2 of unusable spaces such as voids, risers and areas with limited headroom) * all areas are gross internal floor area (GIFA) i.e. excluding external walls. | GIA & Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
2 | Percentage of the underground area that will be used for exhibitions and public space as part of the Learning Centre. | 52.85% Mezzanine Level Lobby (103m2) Learning Centre (349 m2) Basement Level Threshold (314m2) Learning Centre (956 m2) Total = 1722 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
3 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole, that will be enclosed to guarantee security around the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in addition to the area occupied by the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre itself. | Zero as an addition to the 1429 m2 occupied by the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
4 | Proportion of (3) | Zero | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
5 | Size in sqm of the current playground in Victoria Tower Gardens | 1010 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
6 | Size in sqm of the intended new playground | 945 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
7 | Size in sqm of the intended new café | 15 m2 Café/Kiosk 38 m2 including generator and storage | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
8 | Size in sqm of the part of the current playground to be occupied by UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre ticketing and associated works | 23m2 Café/Kiosk generator and storage. Zero occupied by ticketing operations in the Entrance Pavilion. Footfall area 155 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule Playground Area Adjustment |
9 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole that will be occupied by the intended UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, including (a) the entrance pavilion, (b) courtyard and ramp into the Learning Centre, (c) associated hard standing, (d) service access, (e) new access paths, (f) the parts of the mound not accessible to the public, and (g) areas to be enclosed to ensure the security of the Centre. | 1429 m2 | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
10 | Proportion of (9) | 7.58% | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what (1) area in square metres, and (2) proportion, of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole will be occupied by the intended UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, including (a) the entrance pavilion, (b) courtyard and ramp into the Learning Centre, (c) associated hard standing, (d) service access, (e) new access paths, (f) the parts of the mound not accessible to the public, and (g) areas to be enclosed to ensure the security of the Centre.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Extensive information about the design of the proposed Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre was considered at the Planning Inquiry in October 2020 and remains publicly available on Westminster City Council’s website. The additional detail requested is set out in the table below and to provide further assistance and to illustrate the answers I am placing the three source documents in the Library:
| Question | Answer | Source |
1 | The floor area in square metres of the proposed underground construction of the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | 3258 m2 * (includes 373m2 of unusable spaces such as voids, risers and areas with limited headroom) * all areas are gross internal floor area (GIFA) i.e. excluding external walls. | GIA & Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
2 | Percentage of the underground area that will be used for exhibitions and public space as part of the Learning Centre. | 52.85% Mezzanine Level Lobby (103m2) Learning Centre (349 m2) Basement Level Threshold (314m2) Learning Centre (956 m2) Total = 1722 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
3 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole, that will be enclosed to guarantee security around the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in addition to the area occupied by the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre itself. | Zero as an addition to the 1429 m2 occupied by the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre. | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
4 | Proportion of (3) | Zero | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
5 | Size in sqm of the current playground in Victoria Tower Gardens | 1010 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
6 | Size in sqm of the intended new playground | 945 m2 | Playground Area Adjustment |
7 | Size in sqm of the intended new café | 15 m2 Café/Kiosk 38 m2 including generator and storage | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule |
8 | Size in sqm of the part of the current playground to be occupied by UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre ticketing and associated works | 23m2 Café/Kiosk generator and storage. Zero occupied by ticketing operations in the Entrance Pavilion. Footfall area 155 m2 | GIA and Building Area Breakdown Schedule Playground Area Adjustment |
9 | Area in square metres of Victoria Tower Gardens as a whole that will be occupied by the intended UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, including (a) the entrance pavilion, (b) courtyard and ramp into the Learning Centre, (c) associated hard standing, (d) service access, (e) new access paths, (f) the parts of the mound not accessible to the public, and (g) areas to be enclosed to ensure the security of the Centre. | 1429 m2 | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
10 | Proportion of (9) | 7.58% | NHM Park Area Diagram rev 2 |
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 actions of British diplomats stationed in Jerusalem who participated in the Palestine Marathon on 10 March, started by a Fatah official who was under investigation by FIFA for glorifying terrorism; and whether they have assessed the conduct of those diplomats in respect of Articles 13–15 of the Diplomatic Service Code.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
British diplomats are respected around the world because of the high standards to which they hold themselves, of which the Diplomatic Service Code is a key part. Those who participated in the marathon did so privately but we do remind staff to be mindful of their responsibilities as diplomats. The UK's position in relation to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is long-standing: we wish to see a viable two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace, prosperity and security. The Foreign Secretary and I [Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon] were pleased to welcome Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen on 21 March to sign the 2030 UK-Israel Roadmap, which outlines how the UK and Israel intend to work together to strengthen our partnership and to strengthen economic security for Palestinians.
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 treatment of (1) Hindus, (2) Christians, and (3) other non-Muslim minorities, by the government of Pakistan; and whether they will make representations to that government concerning the enforcement of the law of blasphemy against those minorities.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Protecting minority communities continues to be central to the UK Government's human rights engagement in Pakistan. I [Lord Ahmad] discussed the need to safeguard the rights of religious minorities and raised the proposed amendments to the blasphemy laws during my meeting with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, on 30 January. I also discussed blasphemy laws and the importance of promoting respect for all religions during my meeting with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on 14 December 2022.
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 effectiveness of continuing negotiations with the government of Iran regarding a nuclear deal, given (1) that country's past breaches of it, and (2) Iran's progress towards manufacturing nuclear bombs.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
After many months of negotiations, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) Coordinator tabled viable deals in March and again in August 2022 which would have returned Iran to full compliance with its JCPoA commitments and returned the US to the deal. Iran refused to seize a critical diplomatic opportunity to conclude the deal with continued demands beyond the scope of the JCPoA.
Iran's actions over the past months have made progress towards a diplomatic solution much more difficult. We remain determined that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. We are considering next steps with our international partners.