Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ban the sale of real fur in the UK.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Fur farming has been banned in England and Wales since 2000 and since 2002 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
There are restrictions on some skin and fur products which may never be legally imported into the UK. These include fur and products from cats and dogs, and seal skins and products from commercial hunts.
We have established controls on fur from endangered species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and we do not allow imports of fur from wild animals caught using methods which are non-compliant with international humane trapping standards.
Now our future relationship with the EU has been established the government is considering any further steps it could take in relation to fur.
Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in response to the hunger strikes and other protests undertaken by some of the residents of asylum seeker accommodation at Napier Barracks in Folkestone; what steps they are taking (1) to investigate, and (2) to address, the cause of such protests; what education and leisure facilities they (a) have provided, and (b) intend to provide, for use by those residents; and what provision is in place for (i) mental health, (ii) pastoral, and (iii) spiritual, support.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government takes the wellbeing of asylum seekers extremely seriously. We provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with safe, warm and secure accommodation, whilst their claims are being processed.
Since Napier Barracks opened for asylum accommodation, the Home Office has worked closely with Clearsprings and Migrant Help, providers of accommodation and advice services, and in partnership with local authorities, the police force and other partners to ensure that the site operates safely, securely, and in accordance with public health guidance. In addition to support provided on site, Home Office officials have held discussions with asylum seekers about their concerns and to provide further reassurance, including about their safety and wellbeing.
In response to the to the protests held at Napier, officials arranged a call with some of the residents to listen to their concerns. Reassurances were provided that moves out of the camp will shortly recommence, with vulnerability, time spent in the asylum process and overall length of stay in initial accommodation as a key considerations in this process. Weekly Home Office-led forums with residents will also be held going forward and surveys in relation to food and living standards at the site will be undertaken.
Asylum seekers’ basic needs are being met, including three meals per day provided by an on-site chef. In addition, Clearsprings Ready Homes offers those on-site wraparound services including a variety of sports, leisure and educational activities on site. These include English classes, televisions and Wi-fi, and a games room with equipment including pool tables, footballs, basketballs and board games. Mobile telephones are provided if asylum seekers do not have one to ensure that contact can be made.
All asylum seekers have access to a 24/7 AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) service provided for the Home Office by Migrant Help where they can raise any concerns regarding accommodation or support services, and they can get information about how to obtain further support including legal advice where appropriate.
At Napier Barracks the Home Office have worked closely with the Local Clinical Commissioning Group in Kent to ensure that arrangements are in place for asylum seekers to access health care as required. The operation of the sites takes cultural and religious needs into account. There are multi-faith rooms at both sites and catering will take account of dietary requirements in accordance with religious needs.
Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to suspend (1) the granting of arms export licences, and (2) military support, to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners involved in operations in Yemen.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
HM Government takes its export responsibilities seriously and will continue to assess all export licences in accordance with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (the ‘Consolidated Criteria’). HM Government will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including if there is a clear risk that the items might be used in the commission of a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
In addition, HM Government is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary – when circumstances require, and this is done in line with the Consolidated Criteria
The United Kingdom has an ongoing defence relationship with Saudi Arabia, including training courses, advice and guidance, which support Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect its national security. This also supports the Saudi military’s compliance with international humanitarian law.