Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their response to the Commonwealth Secretary-General's letter inviting heads of government of all Commonwealth member states to make known to her by 26 November their views on Zimbabwe’s request to re-join the Commonwealth.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK has always been clear that we would like to see Zimbabwe return to the Commonwealth when the time is right. However, currently we do not share the Secretariat's assessment of Zimbabwe's progress or readiness in line with the shared values and principles laid out in the Commonwealth Charter. Whilst we recognise there has been progress, we believe further steps are needed on democracy, governance and human rights before Zimbabwe makes a formal application to re-join the Commonwealth. We note some of the findings in the Commonwealth Election Observation Report and support the recommendations. We would encourage a further Commonwealth assessment mission to Zimbabwe in 2025 to follow up on these areas. The UK strongly values our partnership with Zimbabwe and stands ready to support further reforms in this regard, through the Commonwealth and other fora.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many outstanding pre-1998 legacy cases in the form of civil suits and re-opened inquests are in train at present; and what have been (1) the costs involved in settlements or damages paid in such cases in each of the past five complete years and (2) the legal costs, both incurred by the Northern Ireland Office and paid out to claimants' and victims' lawyers.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

There are over a thousand ongoing legacy civil claims against the Northern Ireland Office and other state agencies.

Damages paid by the Northern Ireland Office in such cases must remain confidential as per the terms of the settlements, and the Northern Ireland Office does not hold information on the settlement of legacy civil claims faced by other Government departments.

The Northern Ireland Office’s spend on legal costs is included within our Annual Report and Accounts, although we do not differentiate between legal costs we incur and costs we pay to claimants’ lawyers:

22/23

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/650825884cd3c3000d68cb7d/E02862920_NIO_Annual_Report___Accounts_2022-23_Web_Accessible.pdf

21/22

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62bd7aa98fa8f535a857851d/E02726214_NIO_ARA_21-22_Accessible.pdf

20/21

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60dc57b28fa8f50ab2f55b13/Northern_Ireland_Office_Annual_Report_and_Accounts.pdf

19/20

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f7ee413e90e077418bbba00/NIO_Annual_Report_and_Account_2019-20.pdf

18/19

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5db1b51640f0b609d7507fd1/NIO_Annual_Report_and_Account_for_laying_on_2410191_-_certified_by_C_AG_on_231019__2_.pdf

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of households choosing not to buy a television licence.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The number of households choosing not to buy a TV licence has risen in recent years. As noted in the TV Licence Fee Trust Statement, 23.7 million licences were in force in 2023/24, which is a decline from the peak of 25.9 million in 2017/18. TV licence evasion rates have also risen over the past decade from around 5.5% in 2013/14 to 11.3% in 2023/24.

These trends pose challenges to the long term sustainability of the licence fee. The forthcoming Charter Review is a key opportunity to set the BBC up for success long into the future. As we look at the future of the BBC, we must also ensure that it has a sustainable funding model that is fair for those who pay for it.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the European Union's new General Product Safety Regulation.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The updated GPSR largely formalises how many businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. However, we understand that, for some businesses, changes will be required.

Government continues to support businesses in adapting to these changes to ensure a smooth flow of goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage directly with businesses.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they have discharged their legal duty in section 46(1) of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 in respect of the implementation of the European Union's new General Product Safety Regulation.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring the smooth flow of goods across the UK Internal market. The General Product Safety Regulations largely formalise the reality of how businesses are already operating in the UK so the government expects consumers in Northern Ireland generally to be able to access goods as before.

On 3 December, the Department for Business and Trade’s Office for Product Safety and Standards published guidance for businesses on the application of the Regulation in Northern Ireland, which makes clear that authorities will continue to take a proportionate, risk-based, and intelligence-led approach to regulating the NI market, prioritising unsafe products.

DBT will continue to engage businesses directly to ensure they are familiar with the guidance and that the Government is supporting them to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the independent review of the Windsor Framework will be established.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government will announce details of the Independent Review in due course, and in line with its obligations under Schedule 6A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.