Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States of America about the use of intelligence derived from UK sources in maritime operations in the Caribbean since 1 September.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 3 November in the House of Commons to Question 85121, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:
We have extensive discussions with the US on a wide range of shared security objectives, including on counter narcotics but specific operational activities undertaken by the US military in the Caribbean and the Pacific are a matter for the US.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why they have reportedly suspended the sharing of intelligence with the United States relating to maritime operations in the Caribbean.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 3 November in the House of Commons to Question 85121, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:
We have extensive discussions with the US on a wide range of shared security objectives, including on counter narcotics but specific operational activities undertaken by the US military in the Caribbean and the Pacific are a matter for the US.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 26 September (HL10094), what discussions they have had with the Palestinian Authority about reports that it is providing funds to families of those killed while carrying out the attacks on 7 October 2023.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to the principles of non-violence, the organisation of elections, the development of a school curriculum that is free from incitement, and the implementation of a new social security system, which will revoke so-called prisoner payments, and ensure that any future welfare payments are needs-based and delinked from violent actions. The Palestinian Authority must now ensure that an independent audit is conducted to verify that these reforms have been completed.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 26 September (HL10094), what steps they will take to investigate reports that the Palestinian Authority is providing funds to families of those killed while carrying out the attacks on 7 October 2023.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to the principles of non-violence, the organisation of elections, the development of a school curriculum that is free from incitement, and the implementation of a new social security system, which will revoke so-called prisoner payments, and ensure that any future welfare payments are needs-based and delinked from violent actions. The Palestinian Authority must now ensure that an independent audit is conducted to verify that these reforms have been completed.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October (HL10859), how many times and over what period the Palestinian Authority committed to reform prisoner payments before 9 June; how those reforms were audited; and what assessment they have made of the impact of those reforms.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to the principles of non-violence, the organisation of elections, the development of a school curriculum that is free from incitement, and the implementation of a new social security system, which will revoke so-called prisoner payments, and ensure that any future welfare payments are needs-based and delinked from violent actions. The Palestinian Authority must now ensure that an independent audit is conducted to verify that these reforms have been completed.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with member states of the International Criminal Court about balancing the UK’s obligations under the Rome Statute, with its diplomatic relationships with non-signatory states including Israel.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. The Government regularly engages with other States Parties to the Rome Statute on our obligations to the Court. It is for all ICC States Parties to consider how to meet their obligations under the Rome Statute.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding has been earmarked in the next three years for the UK-led Strategic Communication Initiative under the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK led Strat Comms initiative as part of the Substantial NATO- Georgia Package (SNGP) concluded as planned in March 2024. We are currently considering our position on future Strategic Communication collaboration with Georgia.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving access for women's organisations and coalitions to engage with Government.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Minister for Women and Equalities regularly discusses gender equality issues with Cabinet colleagues and this Government is committed to tackling the major injustices that hold women back. We regularly consult with women’s organisations as we develop policies, and will continue to do so. For example, we have engaged with women’s groups through the Centenary Programme, Returners Programme and the LGBT action plan.
The Government Equalities Office is currently developing a programme of work to ensure that women’s voices are better heard by policymakers. Our aim is to understand the barriers that women face and enable them to fulfil their potential.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of UK citizens that will travel to Russia for the 2018 World Cup.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We know that FIFA have estimated that approximately 30,000 tickets have been applied for by UK residents. We are working closely with the FA, Supporters Groups, and the Russian organising committee to get the most accurate data on fan numbers and fan movements to ensure we have sufficient numbers of Embassy staff to support them. We have held discussions with fans, the Football Association, and supporters’ groups following the attack in Salisbury. UK citizens are not required to notify the Government if they change their plans. We encourage fans attending the tournament to stay up to date with our Travel Advice. We will attempt to reinforce the number of staff in Russia and London to support British nationls travelling to the tournament, and we will have consular staff based in every city that England will play in.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of UK citizens that have cancelled a visit to Russia for the World Cup as a result of security concerns after the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We know that FIFA have estimated that approximately 30,000 tickets have been applied for by UK residents. We are working closely with the FA, Supporters Groups, and the Russian organising committee to get the most accurate data on fan numbers and fan movements to ensure we have sufficient numbers of Embassy staff to support them. We have held discussions with fans, the Football Association, and supporters’ groups following the attack in Salisbury. UK citizens are not required to notify the Government if they change their plans. We encourage fans attending the tournament to stay up to date with our Travel Advice. We will attempt to reinforce the number of staff in Russia and London to support British nationls travelling to the tournament, and we will have consular staff based in every city that England will play in.