Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards securing the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah from prison in Egypt.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is committed to securing Mr El-Fattah's release and we continue to press his case at the highest levels of the Egyptian government. The Prime Minister raised Mr El-Fattah's case in a phone call to President Sisi on 22 May. I raised the case with Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 25 May, and with the Egyptian Ambassador on 31 May. The Foreign Secretary also raised the case with Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 1 June.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of the Panchen Lama, what representations they have recently made to the government of China to encourage it to disclose his whereabouts and to respect religious freedom in Tibet.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. We have serious concerns regarding the welfare and whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and we call for his release.
We will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through the UN and bilateral engagement. For example, the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang, Vice Premier He and Vice Premier Ding respectively). The UK also joined a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly in October 2024.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what practical steps they are taking to ensure the expeditious release of Jimmy Lai from prison, his reunion with his family, and whether they will arrange for the Prime Minister to meet Jimmy Lai’s son.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This Government, from the Prime Minister down, continues to call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and release Jimmy Lai. The Prime Minister raised his case with President Xi at the G20, and the Foreign Secretary raised it most recently with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in April.
The Prime Minister is following Jimmy Lai's trial closely. The Minister for the Indo-Pacific remains in regular contact with Mr Lai's son and last met him on 28 April and raised this case with the Hong Kong Government on 30 May.
Jimmy Lai's case remains a priority, and we will continue to press for consular access.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, bilaterally or through international forums, to support humanitarian access, civilian protection and accountability in the light of reports of armed non-state actors operating in the Kurram region of Pakistan.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK urges the Government of Pakistan to prioritise the protection of civilians in Kurram, work to restore unrestricted access for humanitarian assistance, and undertake transparent investigations into attacks on civilians. It is imperative that aid organisations can deliver essential supplies and services without delay or obstruction. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the humanitarian and security situation in Kurram with senior government representatives.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of potential violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Parachinar, particularly in regard to freedom of movement and access to medical care.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK's long-term commitment to promoting human rights in Pakistan is unwavering. Our position is clear - any allegations of human rights violations must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. We urge the Government of Pakistan to prioritise the protection of civilians in Parachinar, including religious minorities, and the safe and voluntary movement of people. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the humanitarian and security situation in Parachinar with senior government representatives.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 22 April (HL Deb col 550), what is their expected timescale when they say that the publication of the proposed 'Hillsborough Law' is being taken forward “at pace”.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Families have waited decades to get justice and we are fully committed to bringing legislation forward.
Having consulted with those groups and their representatives, it is clear more time is required to draft the best version of a Hillsborough Law. We will continue to work with those families to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding the ongoing blockade of Parachinar.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is concerned by restrictions on humanitarian access in Kurram. To ensure the rights and dignity of all people, we urge the Government of Pakistan to prioritise the restoration of full, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. It is essential that aid organisations can deliver essential supplies and services without obstruction or delay. Our High Commission in Pakistan has raised the humanitarian and security situation in Kurram with senior government representatives.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether changes to immigration rules, particularly the proposed extension from a five-year to a ten-year settlement route, will apply retrospectively to British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa holders; whether the new English language requirement for indefinite leave to remain will apply BNO visa holders already in the UK; and whether changes to immigration rules will be backdated to 2020.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in the future. We will consult new earned settlement and citizenship rules announced in the Immigration White Paper, including on the potential impacts on those on the BN(O) route.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received about the impact of the amendments to immigration rules, particularly those associated with the new contribution-based settlement model, to British National (Overseas) visa holders currently residing and working in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in the future. We will consult new earned settlement and citizenship rules announced in the Immigration White Paper, including on the potential impacts on those on the BN(O) route.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timeframe for considering improvements to east-west rail links; what progress they have made in providing a regular passenger service on the Hellifield Link between Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
In May 2024 Northern Trains launched the Yorkshire Dales Explorer, which links Manchester and Ribblehead, restoring passenger services to the line between Clitheroe and Hellifield for the first time in more than two decades. Northern has worked with local bus providers to co-ordinate services and with stakeholders including the Yorkshire Dales National Park and rambling groups, who organised walks around the timetable. This service has been a great success and won a silver award in the tourism category at the 2025 Community Rail Awards.
Rail North Partnership and Northern are now working with stakeholders including Lancashire County Council and York & North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to assess whether additional services on this line could be operationally practical and offer value for money.