Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of resources allocated to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Answered by Lord Bellamy

As part of the departmental allocation process, we assess the needs of individual organisations against the overarching backdrop of the wider departmental finances. The CCRC’s budget has increased year on year since 2020-21 both to increase the size of its caseworker team and to carry out more outreach work with people who may need their services. The budget for 2023/24 was set at just under £8 million, which is an increase of £1.26 million or 18% since 2021/22. Its 2024-25 allocation is under consideration.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the eligibility criteria, and (2) the available methods of applying, for people aged under 18 with children who are seeking to apply for the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department keeps the eligibility criteria for the Healthy Start scheme under continuous review. There are no current plans to change eligibility for the scheme. The NHS Business Services Authority also keeps the application methods for the NHS Healthy Start scheme under review, and there are no current plans to change the process for under 18 year olds.

Those who are under 18 years old, with parental responsibility for at least one child under four years old, and who meet the eligibility criteria for Healthy Start through Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit, can apply online. This is the same process for all who are eligible through these qualifying benefits.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take in response to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued on 19 July regarding (1) Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, and (2) its discriminatory laws and policies against Palestinians.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We have received the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on Friday 19 July and are considering it carefully before responding. The UK respects the independence of the International Court of Justice. The government is absolutely clear on the fundamental importance of the international rule of law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the intensification of land confiscation, settlement construction and settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

West Bank settlement expansion and settler violence have reached record levels. The Israeli government has seized more land this year than in the past twenty years combined. This is unacceptable: it runs counter to multiple resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and undermines the viability of a two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary met Palestinians displaced by settlers during his visit in July. The UK condemns settler expansion and the increase in settler violence. We keep all these issues under review and discuss them with our closest allies.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of Palestinian Christians by Israeli settlers establishing illegal outposts.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK's position is clear. Settlements are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We condemn settler violence, and champion the right to freedom of religion and belief (FoRB). The Foreign Secretary was clear with PM Netanyahu on his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (July 2024) that the Israeli government must clamp down on settler violence and end settlement expansion. The Foreign Secretary also met Palestinian community members during his visit to the West Bank on 15 July, where he heard how communities are affected.

The UK will champion FoRB for all abroad. We are clear that incitement of violence or hatred against individuals based on their religion or belief is unacceptable. Respect for FoRB, and the promotion of interreligious dialogue, plays an important role in securing sustainable peace. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly engages with the Christian community in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Found: Lord Storey 74 Proposal 33: Letter from Baroness Boycott 76 Proposal 34: Letter from the Lord Bishop of Gloucester

Found: Sentamu) on 2 July 2019 . 17 HL Deb 26 October 2015 Vol 765 c 965 [ Introduction: The Lord Bishop of Gloucester

Found: Sentamu) on 2 July 2019 . 17 HL Deb 26 October 2015 Vol 765 c 965 [ Introduction: The Lord Bishop of Gloucester

Found: LORD BLUNKETT BARONESS CHAKRABARTI THE LORD BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER LORD HODGSON OF ASTLEY ABBOTTS