Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many civil claims relating to the Northern Ireland Troubles are currently directed against each government department; how many of these were blocked by the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 and will be unblocked by the proposed Remedial Order; and what are those departments' annual budgeted estimates for payment of settled legacy claims and costs.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There were approximately 800 civil cases ongoing at the time of introduction of what was then the Legacy Bill on 17 May 2022. These remained untouched by the restrictions imposed by the Legacy Bill. Following introduction of the Bill, a further 230 cases were lodged, which were then halted when the Legacy Act came into force. Of these 230 cases, approximately 120 relate to the Ministry of Defence. These cases would be able to be resumed as a result of the Remedial Order taking effect.
The Northern Ireland Office does not hold a further breakdown of such civil cases, nor the budgeted estimates for payment of settled legacy claims for individual departments.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they assess clauses 89 and 90 of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, in light of sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 being found incompatible by the Northern Ireland High Court in Dillon and others.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The High Court found the provisions which concerned Interim Custody Orders in sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 to be incompatible with our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
As set out in the written ministerial statement [HCWS1063] made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 18 November 2025, we have carefully considered the High Court ruling and have tabled an alternative approach with clauses 89 and 90 to address the erroneous interpretation made in Adams regarding the application of the Carltona principle.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why they have altered their communications guidance to use "UK Government" rather than "His Majesty's Government".
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Noble Lady to Parliamentary Question HC112174:
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what policy reason the Government has decided not to use the HM Government identity; and if he will publish the revised guidance held by the Government Digital Service and Government Communications Service. 112174
Answer: There are no plans to discontinue the use of “HM Government”.
Please refer to https://www.communications.gov.uk/guidance/marketing/branding-guidelines/ for guidance on logo use. There are no plans to publish the revised guidance held by the Government Digital Service and the Government Communication Service.
Communications teams are advised to use "UK Government" rather than departmental names and logos for announcements, to provide clarity to the public. This does not affect the use of "His Majesty's Government", which continues on relevant official communications and records.
"UK Government" has long been the term used for the government in public-facing communications. All governments have regularly reviewed and updated government branding guidance to ensure that communications with the public are clear.
This guidance was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with standard protocols in Summer 2025.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether their proposed arrangements for the military base at Diego Garcia meet the requirement in the 1966 agreement with the United States of America on the British Indian Ocean Territory that “the islands shall remain available to meet the possible defence needs of the two Governments for an indefinitely long period”.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to my answer of 22 December in response to Question HL12714.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to recognising Somaliland as an independent state.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
It is the UK's long-standing position that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to decide through a consultative process and dialogue, in line with the principles of the UN charter.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 6 January (HL13173), what assessment have they made of the impact on the retention of playing fields if Sport England's role as a statutory consultee for development is stopped.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
A consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system closed on Tuesday 13 January 2026, and can be found (attached) on gov.uk here.
No decision will be made on Sport England’s role until feedback on the impacts of the consultation proposals has been fully reviewed.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about its decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
Decisions on Israeli diplomatic recognition are a matter for the Government of Israel.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure (1) that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill can be implemented in full in Northern Ireland, and (2) that the Bill is compatible with the Windsor Framework and European Union law.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government’s position remains that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will apply in Northern Ireland and is consistent with both our domestic and international obligations.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of their consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system, what plans they have to alter Sport England's role as a statutory consultee for developments on playing fields; and what assessment they have made of the impact this may have on schools and sport clubs.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is currently consulting on proposed changes to Sport England’s statutory consultee role in the planning regime and I encourage anyone interested to feed into that process. The aim of this consultation is not to reduce access to sports facilities. We will continue to work closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the proposed reforms.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Northern Ireland will be included in the changes to rules on a fixed customs duty on small parcels entering the European Union.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
We are aware of the action being taken by our trading partners on small parcels. The facilitations under the Windsor Framework remain in place for goods entering Northern Ireland. We will continue to engage with the EU to give certainty over future arrangements and ensure businesses are informed ahead of any changes. At the Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025, the Chancellor announced the removal of the £135 customs duty relief, making low value imports subject to customs duty, with a consultation currently underway considering a new set of customs arrangements for these goods. The government will collaborate with its trading partners to ensure its new low value import customs arrangements work effectively with other regimes while meeting its objectives.