Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues

Debate between Baroness Winterton of Doncaster and Lord Palmer of Childs Hill

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

The noble Lord makes an important point about the role of the media and Parliament in discussing these issues. However, I feel that, as a Parliament, we have to back the work of the special envoys, for example, so that we are supporting that work and endorsing the actions that are taken.

[Lord Palmer of Childs Hill (LD)]

My Lords, given that the envoy’s remit includes securing progress on Holocaust-era property and art restitution, where survivors and their families have waited decades for justice, will the Government commit to publishing a clear assessment of progress against every objective, identifying which countries have been pressed to act, what tangible progress has been achieved—not just meetings—and what remains outstanding? How will they ensure that the deadline of the end of 2026 produces measurable progress on restitution rather than simply a record of meetings?

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. The special envoy reports to the Minister for Human Rights, and we have answered a number of questions about the extensive work that he has undertaken. I might suggest, because I know the special envoy is certainly willing to do this, that he briefs Peers on the work that has been undertaken so far and on future work that is being planned. I hope that might be helpful to Peers, because I know there is a lot of interest in this and it is right that we draw attention to the work that the special envoy has done.