Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the sanctioning of Mian Abdul Haq as a human rights violator on 9 December 2022, what assessment they have made of whether that sanctioning has been successful in preventing the forced conversion and abduction of women and girls from minority communities, and what further representations they have made to the government of Pakistan in this regard.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls in Pakistan. Designating Mian Abdul Haq sent a clear message to those responsible that the UK considers this behaviour unacceptable. We regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), women and girls' rights and gender equality at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan. Through our Aawaz programme, we continue to tackle issues of gender-based violence and work directly with communities to raise their awareness of the harms of early and forced marriages.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a reduction in prison chaplaincy service provision on the ability of faith advisers to provide an equitable service to prisoners and their families.

Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

There has been no reduction in prison chaplaincy provision or in the role of faith advisers, who continue to play a vital part in advising chaplains and staff on specific matters of faith or belief and the endorsement of nominated chaplains in HMPPS.

Found: Singh of Wimbledon 1.