Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake an environmental impact assessment on the proposed expansion of overhead power lines.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

On 22 October 2024, together with the Scottish and Welsh Governments, we commissioned NESO to produce the first ever Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), to support a more actively planned approach to energy infrastructure across Great Britain, including for overhead power lines. The SSEP will be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessment and take into account views of both rural and urban communities to ensure the impacts of infrastructure on local areas are properly considered.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they keep records of perpetrators of knife crime by (1) gender, (2) ethnicity, and (3) age.

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

Police forces maintain details of perpetrators of knife crime on local record management systems and this will usually include key demographic data. However, when a suspect has not been arrested this may be based on the perception of the victim or witness rather than their actual characteristics.

The Home Office only collects detailed records from forces on the sex, age and ethnicity of suspects of homicides committed by a knife or sharp instrument.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the result of the recent election in Georgia.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Minister of State Stephen Doughty MP made clear in a statement on 27 October our support for the findings of the preliminary report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights election monitoring mission. That report notes that the election day itself was well-organised and administered in an orderly environment. However, it highlighted concerns, including breaches of voter secrecy, procedural inconsistencies, reports of intimidation and pressure on voters that negatively impacted public trust in the process. Elections were not to the standard expected of an aspiring member of NATO. Allegations of irregularities must be investigated thoroughly and independently.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions there have been for female genital mutilation in each of the past five years.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Ministry of Justice publishes information on prosecutions and convictions for female genital mutilation in the Outcomes by Offence data tool published at Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: June 2024 - GOV.UK under the following HO offence code: 00852 – Offences under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.

There have been 2 prosecutions and 1 conviction under the Female Genital Mutilation Act in the period 01 July 2019 to 30 June 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many convictions there have been of female genital mutilation in each of the last five years.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Ministry of Justice publishes information on prosecutions and convictions for female genital mutilation in the Outcomes by Offence data tool published at Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: June 2024 - GOV.UK under the following HO offence code: 00852 – Offences under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.

There have been 2 prosecutions and 1 conviction under the Female Genital Mutilation Act in the period 01 July 2019 to 30 June 2024.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the government of Iraq about the proposed legislation to reduce the age of child marriage.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK is analysing the proposed amendments to Iraq's Personal Status Law and its implications for women and children's rights. As we privately engage with a range of Iraqi interlocutors to discuss this, we are emphasising the importance of any amendments' compatibility with Iraq's international obligations.

We would condemn any legislative change that would violate international norms, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1976) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the government of Iraq about women’s rights.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Countering rollback and promoting the rights of women and girls is a key focus of our programming and policy work in Iraq. The UK centres its women, peace and security work within a context-sensitive and 'do no harm' approach. We continue to engage with and convene local women's rights organisations and activists. We engage regularly with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government on these topics, in particular advocating for legislation to further protect women.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the study of economics.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

Qualifications in economics are available for schools to offer at GCSE and A level. Schools are free to decide which qualifications they will offer in each subject they teach. As part of their duty to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, schools are expected to offer a range of subject options to help meet the aspirations of all pupils.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. It will seek to refresh the curriculum to ensure it is cutting edge, fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people to support their future life and work.

The terms of reference for the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is attached and can also be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d196b7d107658faec7e3db/Curriculum_and_assessment_review_-_aims_terms_of_reference_and_working_principles.pdf.

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