Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government for what reasons the Islamic Army of Aden is a proscribed organisation; and whether they have any plans to proscribe the Houthi group as a proscribed organisation.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Islamic Army of Aden was proscribed in March 2001. It has a history of involvement in attempts to overthrow the Government of Yemen, including through use of terrorism to establish an Islamic State following Sharia Law.
The UK Government has been unequivocal: the illegal attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, as well as attacks against British and allied warships, are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Together with the US, the UK Government has imposed coordinated sanctions on the Houthis. This is in addition to the US-UK led strikes, conducted with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain and Australia.
The Government does not routinely comment whether an organisation is under consideration for proscription. The Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with other countries which have suspended funding to UNRWA to create a new independent funding agency to deliver aid to Gaza.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are appalled by allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.
The pause will remain in place until we review the allegations, and we are looking to our partners in the UN to carry out a robust and comprehensive investigation.
Any future funding decisions will be taken after this point.
We are getting on with aid delivery and the UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK did not vote against the UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on 8 December 2023.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK abstained on the 08 December UNSCR resolution, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, because it is the government's view that, for a ceasefire to be sustainable, the conditions need to be in place for it to not rapidly collapse. The Government recognises the need to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis however, and welcomes the adoption of UNSCR 2720, which calls for expanded humanitarian access in Gaza. The resolution also calls for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, reflecting the recent calls from the Foreign Secretary. We want to see a peaceful resolution to this conflict as soon as possible and the UK will work with international partners to ensure the implementation of this resolution.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to issue new guidance concerning trans people in hospitals; if so, when; and whether patients who are biologically male will be placed on wards with those who are biologically females.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England is updating its Delivering Same-Sex Accommodation Guidance. A revised version will be published in due course.
It is imperative that National Health Service trusts respect the privacy and dignity of patients. The Government has been clear that patients should not have to share sleeping accommodation with others of the opposite sex and should have access to segregated bathroom and toilet facilities.
As set out by the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in October 2023, proposals to protect the privacy, dignity and safety of patients will be brought forward as part of the routine update of the NHS Constitution and its Handbook. Any measures consulted on will be in line with the Equality Act 2010, respecting the rights of all patients in hospital settings.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international partners about taking action against Houthi missile sites in Yemen.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly condemns the illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. We continue to engage with our international partners, particularly in the region, to explore ways to strengthen maritime security and prevent further attacks. The UK has joined with key international allies in Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN to help safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international partners about taking action against the Houthi war capability in the Red Sea.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly condemns the illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. We continue to engage with our international partners, particularly in the region, to explore ways to strengthen maritime security and prevent further attacks. The UK has joined with key international allies in Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN to help safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to lay the regulations on forest risk commodities; and if the regulations will subject to affirmative procedure.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government introduced new due diligence legislation through the Environment Act to help tackle illegal deforestation in UK supply chains. We will operationalise these provisions through secondary legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. The regulations will be subject to the affirmative procedure.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the morale of Hamas caused by the UK's decision not to veto the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on 8 December.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government does not routinely comment on intelligence assessments. We have repeatedly made clear that the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza requires urgent action to save the lives of innocent civilians. The UK welcomes the adoption of UNSCR 2720, which calls for expanded humanitarian access in Gaza. The resolution also calls for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, reflecting the recent calls from the Foreign Secretary. A sustainable ceasefire means that Hamas is no longer able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK did not to support the United States in vetoing the United Nations Security Council motion calling for an immediate ceasefire on Gaza on 8 December
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government does not routinely comment on intelligence assessments. We have repeatedly made clear that the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza requires urgent action to save the lives of innocent civilians. The UK welcomes the adoption of UNSCR 2720, which calls for expanded humanitarian access in Gaza. The resolution also calls for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, reflecting the recent calls from the Foreign Secretary. A sustainable ceasefire means that Hamas is no longer able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any damage caused to the relationship between the UK and United States by the UK abstaining on the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on 8 December.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The US is the UK's most important strategic ally and partner, and we do more together than any other two countries in the world. As the Foreign Secretary has said, we stand united in the Middle East and are working together to ensure long-term security and stability in the region. He visited the US on the 6 December to meet with Secretary of State Blinken and other senior government officials. They discussed getting humanitarian aid into Gaza and how the UK and US can work towards enabling a long-term two-state solution. We are gravely concerned about the desperate situation in Gaza and of course want to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict; ultimately this will mean a lasting ceasefire, agreed and abided to by all sides.