Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 2 April (HL15868), why an assessment of the environmental impacts of the government of Israel's attacks on oil facilities in Iran is not available; and when this will be published.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The Noble Lord will appreciate that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not have unlimited resources, and FCDO officials therefore tend to focus their analytical work on the impact of the actions and policies for which the UK is responsible, not other countries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 2 April (HL15869), why an assessment of the amount of land in Syria under the control of the government of Israel is not available; and when this will be provided.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The Noble Lord will appreciate that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not have unlimited resources, and FCDO officials therefore tend to focus their analytical work on the impact of the actions and policies for which the UK is responsible, not other countries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 2 April (HL15871), why an assessment of the environmental implications of attacks on Kharg Island is not available; and when this will be published.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The Noble Lord will appreciate that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not have unlimited resources, and FCDO officials therefore tend to focus their analytical work on the impact of the actions and policies for which the UK is responsible, not other countries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 8 April 2026 (HL15872), how they ensure consistency in the approach they take to the application of the definition of right to defend under international law.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer he refers to in his question. Seeking and obtaining legal advice where necessary ensures that the Government adopts a consistent approach to international law, including in respect of issues relating to the use of force under international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of proportion of women and children among those killed in Lebanon in the current conflict with Israel.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of journalists killed across the Middle East during the current conflict.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people displaced in Lebanon since the commencement of the current phase of the conflict with Israel.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of medics killed in Lebanon during the current conflict with Israel.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they have provided for children in Lebanon displaced by the current conflict.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK has not made its own estimates, but the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has published figures - based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health - stating that more than 2,000 people have so far been killed in Lebanon, including at least 172 children and 91 healthcare workers, with more than 7,000 others injured, as of 21 April.

The UNHCR further report that, since early March, over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon, with more than 140,000 individuals currently staying in Government designated collective shelters. Over 280,000 people are reported to have crossed into Syria through the three official border crossings, including almost 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.

On the UK's support for families displaced by the conflict, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 29 April in response to Question HL16505.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 20 March (HL15283), what plans they have to further develop a legislative framework for the use of facial recognition software by private companies in the light of the increasing use of AI.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government has no current plans to introduce a standalone legislative framework governing the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by private companies. However, a recent consultation by the Home Office on a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics and facial recognition will consider the relevance of any new developments in that area to wider public and private sector use of FRT. The consultation closed on 12 February, and responses are being analysed.

As noted in our previous correspondence, the use of FRT is already governed by a robust legal framework, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Under this framework, organisations must process data lawfully, fairly and transparently, and ensure its use is necessary and proportionate. Where used for identification, FRT involves biometric data, which is classified as special category personal data and is subject to stricter legal safeguards. Organisations must also carry out data protection impact assessments where use of such technologies is likely to pose high risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms.

The Government recognises that the use of artificial intelligence, including in FRT, continues to evolve. It therefore keeps the existing legislative framework under review, working closely with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans for further devolution of powers to the devolved nations.

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

We are clear on our commitment to make the existing devolution settlements in Scotland and Wales work effectively to deliver on people’s priorities. We will continue to protect and respect devolution, ensuring the current settlements enable collaboration on our national renewal.

In February, we announced the devolution of further powers to enable the Welsh Government to introduce a vacant land tax to incentivise house building and support economic growth. This will be subject to a joint consultation that we will publish in the near future. This is in addition to the progress that we have made in delivering our manifesto commitments including restoring the Welsh Government's decision making role over post-EU structural funding, agreeing how we will devolve employment support funding, and providing greater flexibilities for the Welsh Government's budget.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the May election results in Scotland and Wales on their relationship with those nations.

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

This government has been clear since day one that rebuilding the country requires UK-wide delivery, working effectively with all levels of government. Good intergovernmental relations remain a priority and we look forward to working constructively with the new ministers in both Governments. The United Kingdom’s devolution settlements are fundamentally designed to accommodate different political parties leading in different parts of the country. People in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland rightly want to see their governments working together to deliver for them. That’s what we are committed to doing and the Prime Minister expects to convene a multilateral meeting with the heads of the devolved governments in June to continue this work.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what medical assessment is in place for asylum seekers on arrival in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office takes the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers very seriously. Upon arrival by small boats, individuals undergo appropriate medical and security screening.

Asylum seekers have access to health and social care services from point of arrival in the UK and we work closely with the NHS, local authorities and contractors to ensure that asylum seekers can access the support they need.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many youth clubs have closed in the past 10 years.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government does not centrally collect data on total youth club closures. However, YMCA research indicates that the number of local authority-run youth centres in England fell from 860 in 2011-12 to 379 in 2024-25.

We are committed to securing a bright future for our youth clubs, and in December 2025, DCMS launched the “Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy” 10 year plan. This strategy will ensure every young person across the country has somewhere to go, someone who cares for them and a community they feel part of. It is funded by over £500 million from DCMS for fulfilling things to do outside of school, support when and where young people need it, and more youth clubs and trusted adults. This includes £350 million to refurbish or build up to 250 youth facilities through our Better Youth Spaces programme.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assist new arrivals in the UK to become part of the community.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is committed to supporting refugees and those granted protection in the UK to fully integrate and contribute to British economy and society, in a way that promotes community cohesion.

Refugees (those granted asylum, humanitarian protection or temporary protection under the Immigration Rules), as well as individuals on resettlement schemes with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), have access to mainstream benefits and services to support their integration. Work is happening across Government and with local partners to ensure these services meet the needs of both refugees and the communities in which they live.

Across government, we work in partnership with local authorities to understand local needs and to support access to housing, services and community support. English language is a key part of integration. Adults in England can access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision through the Adult Skills Fund, supporting access to education, employment and other opportunities. Alongside mainstream provision, the Government also funds targeted English language and employment support programmes, including the STEP programme.

The Government has also provided funding to Strategic Migration Partnerships in England to build local English language capacity and support community-based provision, helping people to access support and connect with their communities.

In Protecting What Matters, we committed to setting clear expectations for integration (including English language proficiency and participation in work) and to developing a cross-government integration strategy. Efforts will focus on removing barriers to participation, supporting underrepresented groups, and fostering a shared sense of values across the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assistance is available for the repair and maintenance of buildings essential for voluntary activities.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Through our Pride in Place Programme, we have invested £5.8bn in 284 communities over the next decade. In each of these places, local people will come together to come up with a plan for the future of their place, backed up with £20m funding. They could choose to invest in the repair and maintenance of community spaces for people to come together, or in the creation of new spaces.

In addition, the National Youth Strategy launched in December '25 committed £350m of new money to build or refurbish youth facilities over the current SR period. £85 million will be delivered in 2026/27 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme which provides funding for building new and upgrading existing pitches, changing rooms and clubhouses.