Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in response to proposals by the government of Iraq to disarm Yazidi communities in Sinjar; and what assessment they have made of the risk that those proposals will leave the Yazidi population vulnerable to the continuation of mass atrocities.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is firmly committed to the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, and the safety and security of the Yazidi community, including those who were displaced by the Daesh insurgency. We regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as representatives from the Yazidi civil society and community, on the need for stability, security and long-term reconstruction in Sinjar. The UK is clear that any security arrangements in the area must protect civilians and support conditions for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of displaced Yazidis.

We continue to advocate for full implementation of the Sinjar Agreement including the recruitment and training of local security forces, which remains essential for stability in the district. The UK highlights the importance of including Yazidi representation in negotiations and plans for implementation of the Sinjar Agreement or any other mechanism, to enhance the agency and the safety of the Yazidi community.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the new 'Patriotic Education Law' in China on freedom of religion or belief, particularly for teachers in religious institutions.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The environment for freedom of religion or belief in China is restrictive, including in relation to religious teaching. This Government stands firm on human rights, and we raise our concerns at the highest levels. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary have all raised human rights in recent months with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang, Vice Premier He and Vice Premier Ding respectively).

This Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all around the world. We work to uphold those rights through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora. We continue to monitor the situation for religious teaching in China, and maintain a dialogue with NGOs and international partners on the issue.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many NHS prescriptions for (1) isotretinoin, and (2) finasteride, have been issued in each year since 2014.

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

The Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) provides the total number of prescription items of each medicine dispensed in the community in England. The following table shows the total number of items in each calendar year from 2014 to 2025 that have been dispensed in England:

This is based on the information within the PCA for the British National Formulary chemical substance of Isotretinoin and Finasteride.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Zimbabwe following reports that those opposed to proposals to extend the Presidential term in Zimbabwe to 2030 are being targeted with violence and intimidation.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Our Embassy in Harare continues to monitor closely reports of harassment of individuals and groups expressing opposition to proposed changes to the Constitution. Officials remain in contact with the Government of Zimbabwe, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as part of our ongoing engagement on these matters. Amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to determine. At the same time, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are fundamental components of any functioning democracy. Political parties, civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe should be able to operate without harassment. We underline the importance of transparent, inclusive and lawful processes, and of ensuring that political space remains open and protected.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what advice and support they plan to provide to British citizens detained or imprisoned in Iran.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Craig and Lindsay Foreman's welfare is a priority for FCDO ministers and officials, and we will continue to support the couple and their family as best we can in the current circumstances, as we also will any other British nationals detained in Iran who request our help. A specialist team from the FCDO is in frequent contact with members of Craig and Lindsay's family, providing regular updates and advice.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to Lindsay and Craig Foreman in Evin prison in Iran.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Craig and Lindsay Foreman's welfare is a priority for FCDO ministers and officials, and we will continue to support the couple and their family as best we can in the current circumstances, as we also will any other British nationals detained in Iran who request our help. A specialist team from the FCDO is in frequent contact with members of Craig and Lindsay's family, providing regular updates and advice.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether Xinjiang is benefiting from any current UK climate finance contributions and development aid, including through programmes administered by development banks; and what proportion of the UK's international climate finance contributions fund work in or relating to the Chinese energy sector.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK ceased all direct government-to-government aid to China in 2011. I am unable to comment on funding allocations made under a previous government. All decisions on the release of material under the Freedom of Information Act are taken by officials in line with the requirements and exemptions laid down in law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how not publishing documents about energy sector aid to Xinjiang aligns with their commitment to aid transparency; and whether they were aware of plans to develop enhanced oil recovery in Xinjiang in 2016.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK ceased all direct government-to-government aid to China in 2011. I am unable to comment on funding allocations made under a previous government. All decisions on the release of material under the Freedom of Information Act are taken by officials in line with the requirements and exemptions laid down in law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they plan to make to the government of Nigeria during the state visit by the President of Nigeria about reports of violence and persecution in the country and the important of protecting freedom and democratic standards ahead of the elections in 2027.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The State Visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As part of the programme, an interfaith serial, attended by President Tinubu and His Majesty the King, was hosted at Vicars Hall in Windsor, demonstrating the shared UK and Nigerian commitment to fostering constructive interfaith dialogue. The UK condemns violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria. On democratic standards and the 2027 elections, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 16th March 2026 in response to Question 118699, reproduced below:

The State Visit will provide an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democratic norms, including ensuring a free, fair and credible Presidential election in 2027. The UK is supporting key legislative and institutional reform processes in the Nigerian National Assembly, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary and other key institutions to strengthen Nigeria's democracy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of allegations that Sheffield Hallam University halted the research of Professor Laura Murphy in 2025 and that University College London removed Professor Michelle Shipworth from teaching a course in 2024, what action they have taken to protect academic freedom and free speech on university campuses.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This government is absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom. The department commenced provisions from the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 on 1 August 2025 that strengthen provider duties on free speech, including a requirement to put in place free speech codes of practice, and a requirement for the Office for Students (OfS) to promote free speech. The OfS has issued extensive guidance to higher education providers on commencement of their duties, which makes it explicitly clear that universities should not tolerate attempts by foreign states to suppress academic freedom.

We are collaborating with universities, including vice chancellors, through a series of events to discuss risks and work together on plans to develop the sector’s resilience. We have also announced a £3 million investment package and a new Academic Interference Reporting Route to support the sector to access expert advice to help institutions identify vulnerabilities.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they have taken to ensure that procurement and transactions in the energy sector are not reliant on the use of Uyghur Muslim slave labour in Xinjiang.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Modern slavery is a serious human rights violation depriving individuals of their freedom and dignity while inflicting immeasurable harm on families, communities, and society as-a-whole. The Government is committed to tackling all forms of modern slavery, holding perpetrators to account, and ensuring that victims are supported to recover and rebuild their lives.

The Government continue to explore the use and monitor the effectiveness of new policy tools to ensure UK can effectively tackle forced labour in supply chains. The Government’s Trade Strategy launched the Responsible Business Conduct Review as a primary lever for delivering this as a cross-departmental endeavour to review and to address the UK’s policy regime and voluntary due diligence requirements for forced labour. Additionally, the Industrial Strategy Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan committed to embedding ethical supply chain standards into DESNZ public spend; and Great British Energy confirmed it will follow strict ethical standards to help ensure solar supply chains are free from exploitation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the UK's contribution to the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme in 2024–25 went to funding for (1) China, and (2) carbon capture, utilisation and storage.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

1. In 2024–25, none of the UK’s contribution to the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) supported new programming in China.

2. The International Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Programme, which was managed under ESMAP, formally closed on 31August 2024. No UK funding was spent in 2024–25 through the CCUS programme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that Great British Energy complies with Section 3(2)(e) of the Great British Energy Act 2025 to not use products made by slave labour.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government expects Great British Energy (GBE) to become a sector leader in ethical supply chains.

GBE are embedding ethical standards across GBE and will develop a comprehensive Supply Chain Risk Framework overseen by Senior Accountable Director for Ethical Supply Chains, Baroness Frances O’Grady.

GBE will prepare a slavery and human trafficking statement, as required under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, setting out the steps it is taking to ensure slavery and human trafficking are not present in its business or supply chain. GBE will also utilise the debarment list as set out under the Procurement Act 2023.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what activities they funded for identifying carbon capture utilisation and storage development opportunities in Xinjiang between 2016 and 2018; and whether they received any representations from Shell in that time about (1) that funding, or (2) the company’s deal with the China National Petroleum Corporation to collaborate on enhanced oil recovery.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In 2017, the Government explored potential opportunities to integrate carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the coal-to-chemicals sector in Xinjiang into China’s emissions trading scheme.

Officials have been unable to locate any information sought by the noble Lord that UK funding was provided to Xinjiang during this period, nor any information indicating that representations were received from Shell regarding this potential funding or its Enhanced Oil Recovery partnership with CNPC in Xinjiang at that time.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of continuing military violence in Mali; and what representations they have made to the government of Mali and international partners, including the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, regarding the protection of civilians and the prevention of war crimes.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK remains deeply concerned by the continuing violence in Mali and its impact on civilians. At the Human Rights High Level Week in Geneva on 26 February, the Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights met Mali's Minister for Justice and reiterated the importance of respecting human rights.

This year, the UK provided £173 million to support programmes across the Sahel, including for the promotion of conflict prevention and stability, and £37 million to support programmes in Mali, including a project to provide training in International Humanitarian Law to the Malian Directorate of Military Justice.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of cuts to multilateral funds that support global health, including the Pandemic Fund and Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement made to the House on 19 March (HLWS1431) outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and the accompanying documentation setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and myself to the International Development Committee on 24 March, where we addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the reduction in regional bilateral aid to the Middle East and North Africa on women and children’s access to lifesaving health services.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement made to the House on 19 March (HLWS1431) outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and the accompanying documentation setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and myself to the International Development Committee on 24 March, where we addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the reduction in regional bilateral aid to the Middle East and North Africa on the ability of children with disabilities to get to school.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement made to the House on 19 March (HLWS1431) outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and the accompanying documentation setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and myself to the International Development Committee on 24 March, where we addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.

Found: Chair, JCHR Chair, Education Committee Helen Hayes MP Chair, Education Committee Lord Alton of Liverpool

Found: Yours sincerely Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair, Joint Committee on Human Rights

Found: I am copying this letter to Lord Alton of Liverpool and his clerks.

Found: Lord Alton of Liverpool Chair of Joint Committee on Human Rights Issued via email: jchr@parliament.uk