Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland In re Bridie Brown (CA) on 3 April, in which cases since the commencement of the Human Rights Act 1998 have the courts ordered the Northern Ireland Office to hold a public inquiry related to Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights; who is responsible under the Inquiries Act 2005 for deciding to set up statutory inquiries; under what powers the judiciary in Northern Ireland and England and Wales can make a declaratory or mandatory order that a public inquiry be set up; and what are the consequences of refusal to carry out such an order.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Aside from the case of Brown, the Courts have never ordered the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland nor any other Government Minister to establish a public inquiry.

Under section 1 of the Inquiries Act 2005 the power to set up a statutory public inquiry lies with a Minister. A Minister may cause an inquiry to be held under this Act in relation to a case where it appears to them that (a) particular events have caused, or are capable of causing, public concern, or (b) there is public concern that particular events may have occurred.

There are no statutory powers in the Inquiries Act 2005 for the judiciary in England and Wales or Northern Ireland to set up a public inquiry.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the 10 franchised delivery providers of education that are registered with the Office for Students with (1) the highest number of foreign national recipients of tuition fee loans, and (2) the highest proportion of enrolled students in receipt of such loans, in the most recent year available.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The attached table shows the 10 franchised providers registered with the Office for Students (OfS) with the greatest number of foreign national students in receipt of tuition fee loans and the highest proportion of all franchised students at OfS-registered providers in receipt of tuition fee loans for 2023/24. This covers franchised providers in England whose students were funded by tuition fee loans from Student Finance England.

Generally, to be eligible for student support, a student resident in England must have settled status or another recognised connection to the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for three years. Persons with international protection are generally eligible for support immediately on their being granted such status by the Home Office. In the attached data, foreign nationality covers students who have declared a nationality other than British in their application for student support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with (1) victims of IRA terrorism, and (2) their legal representatives, about compensation to them being provided from frozen Libyan assets held in the UK.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government has profound sympathy for UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism and indeed for all victims of the Troubles. It also takes issues relating to victims of terrorism very seriously. The UK's stance regarding victims of Qadhafi-sponsored Irish Republican Army (IRA) terrorism is that it is the Libyan State's responsibility to provide compensation. We will continue to urge Libyan authorities to address the Libyan State's historic responsibility for the Qadhafi regime's support of the IRA. The Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan has recently written to some of the victims and their families, and intends to meet to hear their perspectives on the Government's policy on the issue of compensation being provided from frozen Libyan assets in the UK. The Government is committed to a constructive and collaborative engagement with those affected.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether it is a requirement for pet dogs travelling from England, Wales, or Scotland to Northern Ireland to have a pet passport and a worming certificate before travelling.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme makes it easier for pet owners travelling with their pets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. To travel under the Scheme, residents in Great Britain can now apply for a free pet travel document instead of a pet passport or a single-use Animal Health Certificates. There are no vaccination or health treatment requirements, including worming treatments. Further information on the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme can be found here: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to Northern Ireland - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many homes in Northern Ireland do not have access to fast fibre broadband.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Fast fibre broadband covers several different speeds and platforms. According to Ofcom’s Spring Connected Nations update, as of January 2025, 99% of residential premises in Northern Ireland can access a superfast broadband connection (>=30 Mbps), and 95% can access a gigabit-capable connection (>1000 Mbps). More premises in Northern Ireland have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection than in any of the other UK nations.

In addition, as part of the UK Government’s Project Gigabit, the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy is seeking to connect up to a further 10,900 premises that are not expected to be reached by suppliers’ commercial rollout.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposal to remove Sport England as a statutory consultee on planning decisions on the protection of playing fields.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the noble Baroness to the answer given to Question UIN 40670 on 31 March 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential effect of recognising Somaliland’s statehood for promoting security in the Gulf of Aden so that international partners can enter bilateral security treaties with Somaliland.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the African Union's report Fact-Finding Mission to Somaliland (30 April to 4 May 2005).

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is aware of the findings of the African Union's Fact-Finding Mission to Somaliland from 2005. The UK, alongside others in the international community, including the African Union, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 24 April (HL Deb col 773), what assessment they have made of the application in Northern Ireland of the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

Equal opportunities and anti-discrimination law remain devolved matters in Northern Ireland, and the extent of the Equality Act 2010 as set out in law remains unchanged following this judgment.

We expect those affected by the judgment to comply with this ruling and the Equality Act 2010, together with any other relevant legislation and guidance. As they always have, courts across the UK should continue to give full and proper regard to the jurisprudence from higher courts.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much was paid for membership to (1) the United Nations, (2) the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and (3) the Council of Europe, in each of the past two years; and what percentage of those organisations' costs the UK contributed in each of the past two years.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is one of the top contributors to the UN regular budget, contributing USD 137 million (~3.991 per cent of the USD 3.72 billion total) in 2025. In 2024, the UK was responsible for 4.375 per cent of the Regular Budget (USD 137.8 million). Taken together with contributions to the UN Peacekeeping budget, the UK has the 5th highest assessed contribution among Member States. The UK is also one of the four principal financial contributors the Council of Europe. In 2025, the UK contributed EUR 48 million, up from EUR 45 million in 2024. This represents 11.7 per cent of the Council's (approximately) EUR 414.4 million budget for Member States' obligatory contributions. The UK's contribution to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has remained stable across 2024 and 2025 at a 10.3 per cent share, equivalent to EUR 14,276,010.40.

Found: We are grateful to Baroness Hoey and other peers for responding to our concerns, and their commitment

University APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Nurses: Higher Education The Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated): (HL6115) To ask His Majesty's Government

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Marie Rimmer MP Fleur Anderson MP Sharon Hodgson MP Debbie Abrahams MP Jim Shannon MP Baroness Hoey