Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what its policy is on deciding whether to consult stakeholders in Northern Ireland on changes to European Union legislation which are imposed on Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government regularly consults with stakeholders in Northern Ireland on a wide range of policy issues, including those relating to the Windsor Framework.

Regulations that apply under the Windsor Framework are also subject to scrutiny both in Parliament and, as provided for in law, in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Government will continue to uphold these scrutiny commitments, which include the provision of explanatory materials on amended or replaced EU legislation which is included in the annexes to the Framework.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many applications they have received to the Duty Reimbursement Scheme in each year since the scheme was set up, and how much has been reimbursed in each year.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Duty Reimbursement Scheme (DRS) has been operational since 30 June 2023, allowing businesses who move goods into Northern Ireland to reclaim or remit duty provided that the goods can be shown not to have subsequently entered the EU.

As of 3 April 2025, 1407 claims have been submitted under the DRS.

Businesses also have a three-year window from the date they were notified of the duty being owed to make a claim under the DRS.

HMRC has published extensive guidance and will continue to support businesses to use the scheme effectively, as well as other schemes like the Customs Duty Waiver Scheme.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the rising number of prisoners of conscience detained for their religious beliefs worldwide; and what assessment they have made of international law as a framework for holding governments accountable for violations of freedom of religion or belief.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations, our bilateral work, working with the Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith, and our programme funding, including the Rule of Law (ROLE UK) legal reform programme.

We also use our skilled global diplomatic network to engage directly with governments. Ministers and FCDO officials regularly raise specific cases of concern, and do not shy away from challenging those we believe are not meeting their obligations, whether publicly or in private. The UK continues to hold countries to account on their FoRB commitments and obligations, through our engagement with the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and at the UN Human Rights Council. This work is mutually reinforcing of our wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their role in promoting long-term peace and stability in regions affected by religious persecution.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. Societies that respect and uphold human rights, including FoRB, are stronger, more stable and prosperous.

Faith leaders play a vital role in international mediation and reconciliation. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works internationally with faith-based organisations to support the UK's conflict resolution efforts and build trust and understanding between communities. In Colombia and South Sudan, the UK worked with faith leaders to call on warring parties to negotiate and to support the design and implementation of peace agreements.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to integrate freedom of religion or belief into their broader foreign policy and international development strategies

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. In December 2024, I detailed five Human Rights priorities including defending the rights of people belonging to vulnerable and marginalised groups. By championing FoRB for all, we are fighting back against the threats so many people face for simply what they do, or do not, believe in.

Working with the Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, we are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our multilateral and bilateral engagement. Where FoRB is under attack, other rights are often threatened too. Our policy is to defend the full range of rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in international human rights treaties to which we are a state party - including FoRB. We work to fully integrate human rights across our wider policy and development agendas to support meaningful change on the ground.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria concerning Leah Sharibu, who was abducted in 2018; and what steps they are taking to support efforts for her release.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government strongly condemns the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu and other children by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) in North East Nigeria, repeatedly calling for their release. Through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we continue to support the Government of Nigeria's anti-kidnap cell to assist coordination between Nigerian law enforcement agencies responding to kidnap cases.

Found: Wednesday 21 May 2025 10.45 am Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Lexden (The Chair); Lord Dodds of Duncairn

Republic of Korea APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Kinlochard Crossbench Lord Booth Conservative Lord Watson of Wyre Forest Labour Lord Dodds of Duncairn

Republic of Korea APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Kerr of Kinlochard, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Lord Booth, Lord Watson, Tahir Ali MP, Lord Dodds of Duncairn

Falkland Islands APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Baker MP The Lord Northbrook Ms Sarah Champion MP The Lord Davies of Gower The Rt Hon The Lord Dodds of Duncairn

Found: Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 55 Whitehall London SW1A 2HP The Rt Hon Lord Dodds of Duncairn