Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of cooperation with the government of Belgium in deterring the illegal crossing of the English Channel by migrants.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is working closely with European partners, sharing intelligence and disrupting organisers upstream to prevent further launches and deter illegal crossings of the Channel.
The Border Security Command has been designed to rapidly pivot to new threats and gang tactics as they emerge. The rise of small boat launches from the Belgian coast is evidence of smugglers adapting and the UK Government is determined to provide any necessary support to prevent Belgium becoming a viable launch location.
The UK works closely with Belgian authorities and on 12 December 2025, our respective Prime Minister’s signed a joint statement which committed to stepping up our joint action to prevent irregular migration through closer UK–Belgium cooperation, including on returns, information sharing, security technology and operations.
Minister Norris visited Belgium in March and held discussions with the Belgian Government and law enforcement agencies to tackle small boat launches. We continue to deepen our bilateral, regional and multilateral engagement to tackle root causes and strengthen law enforcement cooperation.
Law Enforcement teams have already been bolstered along the Belgium coast and along the French-Belgian border. Alongside this, the NCA has increased its overseas presence - including officers deployed across Europe and within Europol - ensuring faster intelligence flow and stronger joint operational effect.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of unchallenged sanctioned vessels travelling in either direction through the English Channel in each month so far this year.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet, including sanctioned vessels, is a priority for the UK.
The Government monitors UK sanctioned vessels if they transit through UK waters. However, we will not go into specifics on our assessments of the number of UK sanctioned vessels transiting UK waters, as this would compromise our ability to take enforcement action which would benefit our adversaries.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why leaders of faith groups such as Jewish, Muslim and Roman Catholic leaders in the House of Lords are not considered as Lords Spiritual.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The presence of the Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords reflects the constitutional position of the Church of England as the established Church and the Sovereign as the Supreme Governor of the Church.
The Government believes the House of Lords benefits from having a membership with a wide and diverse range of backgrounds including faith and religion.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration, if any, they are giving to reducing the number of Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There are no current plans to reduce the number of Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the freedom of worship of (1) Christian UK citizens, and (2) Copts, in Egypt.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 27 April in response to Question HL16168.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their cooperation with the government of Tunisia on (1) intelligence, and (2) defence matters.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK has engaged in long-standing cooperation with Tunisia across a range of areas, in particular in relation to defence and security. We support the strengthening of Tunisia's capabilities to contribute to regional stability, including through its UN peacekeeping role in Africa. Tunisia is also a Mediterranean Dialogue partner for NATO. The visit of the Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa's (DSAME) in February 2025 included senior level discussions on how to strengthen cooperation moving forward. Bilateral UK-Tunisia defence cooperation is delivered in full compliance with international standards and principles.
As with all countries, we keep our travel advice to Tunisia under regular review.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether all areas of Tunisia are safe for UK citizens to visit.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK has engaged in long-standing cooperation with Tunisia across a range of areas, in particular in relation to defence and security. We support the strengthening of Tunisia's capabilities to contribute to regional stability, including through its UN peacekeeping role in Africa. Tunisia is also a Mediterranean Dialogue partner for NATO. The visit of the Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa's (DSAME) in February 2025 included senior level discussions on how to strengthen cooperation moving forward. Bilateral UK-Tunisia defence cooperation is delivered in full compliance with international standards and principles.
As with all countries, we keep our travel advice to Tunisia under regular review.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their relations with the government of Tunisia.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK has engaged in long-standing cooperation with Tunisia across a range of areas, in particular in relation to defence and security. We support the strengthening of Tunisia's capabilities to contribute to regional stability, including through its UN peacekeeping role in Africa. Tunisia is also a Mediterranean Dialogue partner for NATO. The visit of the Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa's (DSAME) in February 2025 included senior level discussions on how to strengthen cooperation moving forward. Bilateral UK-Tunisia defence cooperation is delivered in full compliance with international standards and principles.
As with all countries, we keep our travel advice to Tunisia under regular review.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the dangers caused by cyclists riding on the pavement.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
It is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 to cycle on the pavement and the only exception to this is for designated shared use paths. While there is no assessment of the dangers caused by pavement cycling, new offences in the Crime and Policing Bill are being introduced for cyclists who cause the death or serious injury of another person. These new offences will mean that cyclists will face the same penalties as those who commit motoring offences.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the danger, if any, caused by cyclists using headphones on roads.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
No such assessment has been made, and it is not an offence to use headphones while cycling. However, if this is done in such a way as to put other road users in danger, the police may choose to bring a prosecution for careless or dangerous cycling.
Rule 66 of the Highway Code states that people should “avoid any actions that could reduce control of your cycle” and Rule 67 says that people should “be aware of traffic coming up behind you, including other cyclists”. Wearing headphones could indirectly affect a person’s ability to comply with either of these rules.