Asked by: Lord Wills (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 15 June (HL535), what progress the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues (1) has made, and (2) plans to make in the next six months, to (a) represent the UK in Holocaust commemorations, including anniversary commemorations in the UK and across Europe as appropriate, (b) regularly lobby European states where there is no restitution process to implement the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art and its associated best practice guidelines, and (c) undertake six visits in support of post-Holocaust issues objectives.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer he referenced in his question. As I said in that answer, we will confirm further details of the Envoy's work in due course.
Asked by: Lord Wills (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues (1) has made, and (2) plans to make in the next six months, to (a) represent the UK in Holocaust commemorations, including anniversary commemorations in the UK and across Europe as appropriate, (b) regularly lobby European states where there is no restitution process to implement the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art and its associated best practice guidelines, and (c) undertake six visits in support of post-Holocaust issues objectives.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Since his appointment in February, the UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues has made excellent progress against his Terms of Reference for the role, including attending the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance plenary meeting in Argentina from 1-4 June, as the head of the UK's delegation, and meeting with the President of the World Jewish Restitution Organisation on 6 May to discuss the UK's ongoing commitment to the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust-Era Assets. Further details of the Envoy's work, including his overseas visits, will be confirmed in the usual way in due course.
Asked by: Lord Wills (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues plans to visit Poland.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
We continue to engage with Poland on post-Holocaust issues and tackling antisemitism, including through our Embassy in Warsaw. For instance, in February we facilitated a Community Security Trust best practice visit to Poland through our programme fund to support post-Holocaust initiatives for financial year 2025-26. Further details of our engagement with Poland on these issues, including any planned visits by the Special Envoy, will be confirmed in the usual way in due course.
Asked by: Lord Wills (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to conduct public awareness-raising activity funded by the taxpayer during the EU referendum period starting on 15 April, and if so, what activities they plan to undertake.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government is clear that this referendum is an important decision for the future of the UK. We are committed to ensuring the public are well informed before making a crucial choice about whether the UK should remain in or leave the EU, within the parameters of section 125 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 covering the 28 days ending with the referendum.
The Government believes that the UK is stronger, safer and better off in a reformed EU.