Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Uganda's compatibility with being a member of the Commonwealth in the light of that country's opposition to LGBT rights, including its Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.

Answered by Lord Benyon

The UK Government is appalled that the Government of Uganda signed the deeply discriminatory Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 into law. Issues around membership and the Commonwealth Charter are addressed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). The UK is not currently a member of CMAG.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Ghana concerning its Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, which criminalises homosexuality; and what assessment they have made of Ghana's continued membership of the Commonwealth in the light of that Bill.

Answered by Lord Benyon

The UK is deeply concerned that Ghana's Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. The UK routinely encourages Ghana to confirm its opposition to all forms of discrimination and uphold the human rights provisions enshrined in Ghana's Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter and the values and principles of the Commonwealth. The Foreign Secretary, Ministers and senior officials have expressed these concerns, including during Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell's visit to Ghana in February 2024 and his meeting with the Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK in March. We are working through our options for responding should the Bill become law. Issues around membership and the Commonwealth Charter are addressed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). The UK is not currently a member of CMAG.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Uganda concerning the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023; and what steps they are taking to protect LGBT people living in Uganda.

Answered by Lord Benyon

Following the signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 into law, the Minister of State (Development and Africa) released a statement setting out our strong opposition to the Act. Both the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State (Development and Africa) reaffirmed this position on 3 April, following the Ugandan Constitutional Court's judgment to uphold all but four sections of the Act. The Minister of State (Development and Africa) met the Ugandan Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on 3 April, underlining the importance of ensuring that people are free from persecution, regardless of sexuality. We will continue our consistent support to the human rights of LGBT+ people, and all Ugandans.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what funding is being made available to Operation Grange into the disappearance of Madeline McCann in the financial year 2024–25; how many police officers are currently involved in the investigation; when the next review of funding will occur; and what are the total costs of the police operation to date.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

For the year 2024-25 the Home Office has agreed to provide up to £192,000 to the Metropolitan Police Service through Special Grant funding for Operation Grange, the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. At 31 March 2024, the total cost of the investigation was £13.2m.

Operation Grange’s Special Grant budget currently funds a team of three police officers and one member of police staff, all of whom operate on a part-time basis.

Special Grant funding is reviewed annually by the Home Office. The Department also liaises regularly with the Operation Grange investigation team to assess progress and challenge the use of funds as necessary.

Found: Under the Pet Abduction Act 2024 – which was a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP and Lord

Found: Patrons include: Lord Black of Brentwood Simon Callow CBE Lord Cashman CBE Julian Clary Martin