Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 18 September (HL3066), what data they collect on the various forms of sectarianism listed; and what assessment have they made of what this data reveals about (1) causes, (2) distribution, and (3) incidence.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The department does not collect data on sectarianism as a distinct category and has not undertaken an assessment of its specific causes, distribution or incidence. However, the department continues to engage with issues relating to sectarianism where these have implications for community cohesion. This work contributes to the Government’s wider approach to strengthening social cohesion and addressing activities that undermine it.
Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what the definition of sectarianism is in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government command paper Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom, published on 9 March.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Protecting What Matters social cohesion action plan does not set out a specific definition of sectarianism. The term is used to describe hostility, discrimination, intimidation or conflict between groups based on religious, ethnic or related communal identities that can undermine community cohesion and public order. The Government remains committed to promoting mutual respect and tackling all forms of hate, extremism and community division.
Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have a formal procedure for responding when a person residing in the UK is designated or sanctioned by a foreign government on the basis of an alleged association with a terrorist organisation, particularly where that government is their security partner.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
There is no formal procedure for the UK to respond when a foreign government designates or sanctions a person residing in the UK. The precise consequences for affected individuals will depend on the nature of the acting country’s designation / sanctions regime and the particulars of the measures imposed. A decision by a foreign government to designate or sanction individuals is a matter for that government and such decisions are taken independently of the UK Government.
The UK takes designation, sanction, and proscription decisions independently in accordance with its own legal frameworks, evidential thresholds and national security assessments.
We continually review and strengthen our counter-terrorism capabilities whilst working closely with domestic and international partners to tackle terrorist threats. This Government will always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security, and our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of our citizens.
Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what the retention policy is for submissions made to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government during public consultations.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The department retains information from public consultations only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the relevant business need and statutory requirements. The department's standard retention period for public consultation responses is two years from the consultation closing date, although this is a guideline rather than a fixed requirement, and the final retention period is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Retention decisions must comply with data protection principles, including data minimisation and storage limitation, ensuring personal data is kept only for as long as necessary. For example, confidential or sensitive personal information may require a shorter retention period and may be deleted or anonymised once analysis is complete.
The applicable retention period for personal information is normally set out in the published consultation documentation.