Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compulsory digital training on domestic abuse introduced for family judges, magistrates, and legal advisers in October 2021; how many individuals have completed the training; how frequently it is delivered or refreshed; and what evaluation has been conducted of its effectiveness in improving outcomes in the family courts.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
To preserve judicial independence, statutory responsibility for the training of the courts judiciary in England and Wales is held by the Lady Chief Justice and fulfilled by the Judicial College. It would therefore be constitutionally inappropriate for the Government to undertake assessments of judicial training.
I am aware that the Judicial College launched updated digital training on domestic abuse for all family judges in October 2021 and for magistrates and their legal advisers in November 2021. The judicial training and magistrates and legal adviser training were mandatory.
This was followed in 2022/23 by an intensive one-year programme of mandatory live training for family judges on the harms of domestic abuse, which was also offered to judges in the civil jurisdiction, and intensive mandatory continuation training for family magistrates and legal advisers.
Domestic abuse remains a central part of induction and continuation training for all judges, magistrates and legal advisers who hear family cases. Training is regularly evaluated and reviewed by the Judicial College and updated as appropriate.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total expenditure of the contribution of the United Kingdom to the Joint Expeditionary Force in each year since 2021.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The expenditure of the United Kingdom's Standing Joint Forces Headquarters (SJFHQ), acting as the operational headquarters of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), inclusive of their contribution to JEF operations and exercises since 2021 is:
Financial Year 2021-22 Not Known
Financial Year 2022-23 Not Known
Financial Year 2023-24 £521,000
Financial Year 2024-25 £500,00
Financial Year 2025-26 £172,700
The listed expenditure comprises the operational and exercise expenditure of SJFHQ, which leads on the planning and execution of JEF activity. It does not include the operational costs borne by single services in support of JEF activity, the figures for which are not held centrally. Total expenditure is not inclusive of the costs of staff employment, which cannot be accurately quantified within an HQ that is tasked by multiple services.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report “More than a human can bear”: Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023 published by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel on 13 March, and what representations they have made as a result to (1) the government of Israel, and (2) the United Nations and other international organisations and officials.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are deeply concerned by multiple allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces. We are also appalled by reports of sexual violence being perpetrated against hostages. These reports are horrifying.
The use of sexual violence in conflict is a breach of international law. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world.
The UK has consistently called for all reports, to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors, including during a session of the UN Security Council on 20 March. We have also raised strong concerns around treatment of detainees and International Humanitarian Law compliance with the Government of Israel.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support the Office of the High Representative in their role to oversee the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement; and what assessment they have made of the use of Bonn Powers to counter destabilising actions.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports the High Representative and use of his executive powers should circumstances require it to counter destabilising actions. The UK issued a strong statement last month in support of his role and the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP, spoke with the High Representative on 27 March to reaffirm our position and backing for a strong High Representative response if circumstances necessitate. Dame Karen Pierce, UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, also spoke with the High Representative on 27 March while visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to ensure that all parties adhere to the terms of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) and clear that domestic actors and signatories must continue to adhere to the DPA, which has delivered 30 years of peace in BiH. We have worked through the Peace Implementation Council, and with the High Representative, to bolster domestic institutions to respond to internal and external threats to the DPA. On the international stage, we have urged leaders to use their influence positively and refrain from actions which could undermine the constitutional framework of BiH, including in senior bilateral meetings between ministers and in multilateral fora like the United Nations.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to work with the Peace Implementation Council under the Dayton Peace Agreement to monitor developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains committed to maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including through active support for the Dayton Peace Agreement. The UK meets regularly with other members of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC)'s Steering Board in BiH to discuss developments. On 10 March, The Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP spoke with BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic to reaffirm the UK's support for BiH, the rule of law, and the Dayton Peace Agreement. In December 2024, we secured a strong communiqué by PIC Political Directors on the situation in BiH. In response to secessionist moves by Republika Srpska politicians since August 2024, we have worked with our PIC partners and the High Representative to deliver a strong, unified message against these unconstitutional actions, and to protect BiH's institutions from attempts to undermine them.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to fulfil the UK's role as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement to support the stability and implementation of the agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains committed to maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and fulfilment of its roles as a member of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC)'s Steering Board and witness to the Dayton Peace Agreement. In December 2024, we secured a strong communiqué by PIC Political Directors on the situation in BiH. In coordination with international partners and the High Representative, we have supported local actors and institutions in their robust response to Republika Srpska politicians' secessionist moves. On 10 March, the Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty MP spoke with BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic to reaffirm the UK's support for BiH, the rule of law, and the Dayton Peace Agreement. We have also supported BiH's stability through bilateral contributions, including deploying staff officers to NATO HQ Sarajevo and promoting reconciliation via local institutions.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support (1) Operation Althea, and (2) the NATO headquarters in Sarajevo, under the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We see both the European Union Force (EUFOR) and NATO as vital for maintaining peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and work closely with our international partners to achieve these goals. We continue to support EUFOR's role in upholding the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement, and engage regularly with EUFOR and the EU Delegation in BiH. We are supporting defence reform and BiH's capacity to counter cyber threats and disinformation. We also support security in BiH through our bilateral contributions, including deploying staff officers to NATO HQ Sarajevo and our programme of defence engagement delivered to BiH's Armed Forces.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that they impose sanctions on individuals who threaten Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The UK sanctioned Republika Srpska entity leaders Milorad Dodik and Zeljka Cvijanovic in April 2022 for their attempts to undermine the legitimacy and functionality of BiH. The UK has applied sanctions to others since then. It is UK Government policy not to speculate on future designations, as doing so risks undermining the impact of sanctions.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with American and European counterparts regarding reports of a deepening security crisis in the Western Balkans; and what assessment they have made of the implications for UK and European security.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Stability in the Western Balkans is important for UK and European security. Minister Doughty visited Montenegro and Serbia in January, where he discussed developments in the region with leaders. We continue to cooperate closely with our European and American partners. The UK hosted a meeting of 'Quint' (UK, US, France, Germany, Italy plus the European External Action Service (EEAS), European Commission and NATO) representatives in London on 26-27 February 2025 and discussions included the security implications of recent developments in the Western Balkans. The appointment of Dame Karen Pierce as the new Special Envoy and the UK hosting of the Berlin Process will be important opportunities to expand cooperation with our partners in the Western Balkans to help drive regional economic growth and tackle the common challenge of irregular migration.