Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to public safety arising from the early release of prisoners, including registered sex offenders, under the current early release scheme.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. Without the changes this Government made, courts would have had to halt trials and the police cancel arrests, undermining public safety.

Whilst measures like the SDS40 change provided the intended medium-term relief to the system, this was only ever a temporary change as a bridge to a more sustainable solution. That is why the Sentencing Act has been passed, to deliver a more sustainable solution to the prison capacity crisis we inherited.

Following a review, the Prime Minister and Lord Chanceller have decided that rape and certain child sex offences will be excluded from the progression model and these sentences will retain their current release points. This is in addition to the 18,000 offenders who are already ineligible for earlier release under the model given they have either been found by a court to be the most dangerous or are serving a life sentence.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of specialist courts to fast-track rape cases.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We remain committed to fulfilling our manifesto commitment to introduce specialist rape courts. We are working with criminal justice partners and external stakeholders to develop plans for what form such courts should take. This includes a consideration of case timelines and progression, victim experience, the use of special measures and the effective operation of the courts.

The Government is already taking decisive action to revive our criminal court system and address long-standing issues that impact all victims, particularly those of rape and other serious sexual offences.

The uncapping of Crown Court sitting days in the 26/27 financial year means that more rape and other sexual offence cases can be heard more promptly. Judges will continue to prioritise cases involving vulnerable victims and witnesses, including rape and other sexual offences. Under the judiciary's new National Listing Framework published in July 2026, RASSO cases will be prioritised in listing and, crucially, the practice of floating these cases will end.

Lengthy delays can be particularly difficult for victims of rape and sexual violence and so we are taking forward a range of measures to improve the experience of these victims through the criminal justice system. This includes introducing independent legal advisors for adult rape victims, rolling out trauma-informed training to all court staff, and delivering legislative reforms to protect victims, particularly victims of sexual offences, from unnecessary and intrusive cross-examination about their personal lives at court.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the conversion of international finance grants to loans remains classed as official development assistance; and, if not, whether the official development budget will decrease.

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

Loans are classed as Official Development Assistance (ODA) where they meet the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) criteria for ODA eligibility, including being provided on concessional terms and having the promotion of economic development and welfare as their primary objective.

Under current OECD rules, only the grant-equivalent element of an eligible loan is recorded as ODA, rather than the full value of the loan.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will seek new legal advice on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory following the appointment of a new Attorney General on 20 July.

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

The Government's position in relation to the UK-Mauritius treaty has been informed by legal advice throughout. A summary of the Government's legal position was set out on 22 May when the treaty was signed, and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-secures-future-of-vital-diego-garcia-military-base-to-protect-national-security. In accordance with the long-standing convention, adhered to by successive governments, whether or not the Law Officers have been, or will be, consulted, and the substance of any such advice is not disclosed outside government.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been Ministerial level contact between the UK Government and the Mauritian Government since 20 January; and if so, which Ministers and which interlocutors.

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

There has been no Ministerial level contact between the UK Government and the Mauritian Government since 20 January.

All ministerial meetings with external organisations, and relevant Special Adviser meetings, are published in the usual way on gov.uk. Details of ministerial overseas visits are routinely published in each department's quarterly transparency releases

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are their priorities for tackling violence against women and girls internationally.

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

The International Strategic Framework, launched at the Global Partnerships Conference in May 2026, sets out how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will deliver its standalone Women and Girls Priority by placing them at the centre of the UK's international work. We are prioritising action across four foundations: safety, prosperity, voice and choice (education and health). The UK is working with international partners to drive progress on preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG), including announcing in May the new International Coalition to End VAWG. The coalition brings together eight countries to share expertise and drive practical action to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence, tackle online abuse, and strengthen global efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and other forms of violence in humanitarian crises. The UK is committed to tackling violence domestically and internationally and remains committed to advancing women and girls' rights.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether women and girls will remain one of their foreign policy priorities.

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

The International Strategic Framework, launched at the Global Partnerships Conference in May 2026, sets out how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will deliver its standalone Women and Girls Priority by placing them at the centre of the UK's international work. We are prioritising action across four foundations: safety, prosperity, voice and choice (education and health). The UK is working with international partners to drive progress on preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG), including announcing in May the new International Coalition to End VAWG. The coalition brings together eight countries to share expertise and drive practical action to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence, tackle online abuse, and strengthen global efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and other forms of violence in humanitarian crises. The UK is committed to tackling violence domestically and internationally and remains committed to advancing women and girls' rights.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to continue the approach to international development set out in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office policy paper, The UK's Modern Development Approach, published on 16 July.

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

The Government is committed to a modern approach to international development based on genuine respect and partnership with the Global South to support our common interests. In a statement on his appointment on 20 July, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the Government's commitment to strengthening international development partnerships and reforming international institutions so that they deliver more effectively for all countries, including the world's poorest people.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are their priorities for the UK's upcoming presidency of the G20.

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

Planning for the UK's G20 Presidency in 2027 is underway, and the government will set out its priorities in due course.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any new legislation to implement the UK-Mauritius treaty on sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory will be brought forward in this session of Parliament.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to my previous answer on 30 July to question HL2205.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to respond to the Hughes Report, published on 7 February 2024, on options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 8 July in response to Question 15843, which is reproduced below:

The Government extends its deepest sympathies to all those affected by pelvic mesh, and recognises the profound, life‑changing impact these harms have had on individuals and their families. We know that for many, the consequences are ongoing and deeply felt. The Government is carefully considering the work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner (PSC), Professor Henrietta Hughes, including her report, which set out recommendations for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. The Government has been clear that there must be meaningful progress on this matter during this Parliament. We recognise how difficult this uncertainty is for those affected, and we will ensure that the public is kept informed on this important work.

Found: Neate; Lord Polak; Baroness Porter of Fulwood; Baroness Rafferty; Lord Russell of Liverpool; Baroness Sugg