Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to work with private security companies to ensure that security staff are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating in retail environments; what guidance has been issued to such companies on PPE standards; and how compliance with health and safety requirements is being monitored and enforced.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Secretary of State for Defence

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator of the private security industry and continues to work with security businesses to improve standards, training, and best practice in support of public safety.

It is for individual businesses to determine their own policy on the provision of equipment to security guards in compliance with UK law. All employers and venues should conduct risk assessments to ensure that staff and personnel working for them are provided with the appropriate equipment to fulfil their role safely and securely. Any assessment and mitigation of risk should include the need for appropriate Personal Protection Equipment.

The SIA signposts to advice produced by the Health and Safety Executive on conducting risk assessments. Knowledge on the uses of PPE is included within SIA’s licensed linked training qualifications for security operatives.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost to local authorities of removing hard plastic tree guards at the end of the usage cycle.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

It has not been possible to produce a single robust estimate of the cost to local authorities of removing hard plastic tree guards as costs vary depending on local circumstances, scale of planting and disposal arrangements.

Tree planting grants recognise the need to manage plastics. England Woodland Creation Offer and Urban Tree Challenge Fund agreements require the removal and appropriate disposal of guards. The Local Authority Treescapes Fund also promotes minimising plastic use.

Payment rates under the England Woodland Creation Offer and the Local Authority Treescapes Fund included a contribution to the removal and disposal or tree guards.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the environmental merits of biodegradable alternatives to hard plastic tree guards.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Department recognises the need to reduce the environmental impact of plastics in forestry, including tree guards. Forestry England is part of the UK Forest Industry Plastics Working Group, which focuses on reducing single-use plastics and exploring alternatives in woodland creation. Trials of bio-based tree shelters have produced mixed results, so conventional guards remain in use where necessary, with removal and recycling in line with UK Forestry Standard requirements.

Forest Research is conducting an independent evaluation of alternatives, funded by Defra and Forestry England. Results, expected in two years, will assess effectiveness, and inform more sustainable solutions.

Found: OneResolution; Lucy Manzano, Head of Port Health and Public Protection, Dover Port Health Authority; David Smith

Found: Claire Hanna; Simon Hoare; Adam Jogee; Mike Kane; Mr Paul Kohler; Katrina Murray; Gavin Robinson; David Smith

Found: Claire Hanna; Simon Hoare; Adam Jogee; Mike Kane; Mr Paul Kohler; Katrina Murray; Gavin Robinson; David Smith

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Kyrgyzstan on registration requirements affecting Council of Churches Baptist congregations and their ability to meet for worship.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Kyrgyzstan. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

The UK raised concerns regarding several human rights issues, including freedom of expression in the 2025 UN universal periodic review into Kyrgyzstan, the most recent iteration.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the global persecution of the Baha'i community in (i) Iran, (ii) Yemen, (iii) Qatar, (iv) Egypt and (v) elsewhere.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK strongly condemns the persecution of Baha'i communities in many countries around the world. Last July, shortly before launching the Government's strategy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, met the then Baha'i International Community UN Representative, Simin Fahandej, to discuss the persecution of the Baha'i in Iran and elsewhere.

The UK has also raised the targeting of Baha'i communities in international statements, including at the UN Human Rights Council, and supported action to strengthen international scrutiny of Iran. The Special Envoy engages regularly with Baha'i representatives, including the Director of the UK Baha'i Office of Public Affairs, Padideh Sabeti, who also contributed to the launch of the Government's FoRB Strategy.

We will continue to raise the persecution of Baha'i communities with relevant countries, and in multilateral fora as appropriate.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Nigerian counterpart on the release of people abducted from churches and improving protection for places of worship in the last three months.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since my statement to the House on 27 November 2025 (HWCS1105), we have continued to raise the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with the Nigerian authorities on a regular basis.

The Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, visited Nigeria in May, where he met with Nigerian Government figures including the National Security Advisor and Minister of Information to discuss promoting interreligious dialogue and tackling the causes of insecurity.

In April, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman, attended the opening of the Nigeria Peace Summit, bringing together senior Muslim and Christian leaders to support Nigerian-led approaches to reducing intercommunal violence.

And earlier this month, Baroness Chapman visited Kaduna State to see how UK support is helping to address insecurity and protect communities of all faiths and beliefs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of Nigeria on securing the release of people abducted from churches and improving protection for places of worship in the last three months.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since my statement to the House on 27 November 2025 (HWCS1105), we have continued to raise the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with the Nigerian authorities on a regular basis.

The Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, visited Nigeria in May, where he met with Nigerian Government figures including the National Security Advisor and Minister of Information to discuss promoting interreligious dialogue and tackling the causes of insecurity.

In April, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman, attended the opening of the Nigeria Peace Summit, bringing together senior Muslim and Christian leaders to support Nigerian-led approaches to reducing intercommunal violence.

And earlier this month, Baroness Chapman visited Kaduna State to see how UK support is helping to address insecurity and protect communities of all faiths and beliefs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, published in March; and what consideration they have given to those findings in implementing the UK’s approach to freedom of religion or belief.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we welcome the contribution that the United States and other international partners are making to the understanding of this issue. Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement, and identifying ten focus countries as priorities for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to work with other like-minded countries to raise these issues on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what outcomes were agreed during the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief’s visit to Nigeria in May 2026.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

During his visit to Nigeria in May 2026, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, met senior Nigerian government representatives, including the National Security Adviser, Governor of Plateau State and Minister for Information. He engaged a broad cross-section of senior Muslim and Christian religious leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and Nigerian-led civil society and peacebuilding partners.

Discussions highlighted the importance of interfaith engagement in addressing violence affecting individuals of all religions or beliefs, alongside wider drivers including land, resource and ethnic tensions. The Special Envoy also raised concerns about the misuse of blasphemy and Sharia laws, including the cases of Yahiya Sharif Aminu and Deborah Samuel, and observed examples of peaceful inter-religious coexistence. The UK will continue working with the Nigerian government and international partners to protect FoRB for individuals of all faiths or beliefs in Nigeria.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan and international partners about ensuring that Coptic Christian communities are able to worship and rebuild places of worship, following reports that a local authority halted reconstruction and worship at a Coptic church in Northern State.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 27 May in response to Question 2 in the House of Commons - which for ease of reference is reproduced below:

The UK continues to use our position as penholder at the UN Security Council and leader of the core group on Sudan at the Human Rights Council to keep a spotlight on, and take actions in response to, the human rights situation in Sudan. In November 2025, our Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, made a statement at the event held in Czechia to mark the fifth anniversary of the Article 18 Alliance, laying out the UK's ambitious FoRB strategy and reinforcing our belief that FoRB is central to global stability, including in Sudan.

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Found: Northern Leader Awards Dinner No Chris Johnson 22/10/2025 University of Warwick Hotel accommodation No David Smith

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Found: South East 2016 Daventry District Council Government Organisations 50-249 Medium East Midlands 2019 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Superannuation Fund Australia David Richard Phillips SMSF Australia David ROPS Fund Australia David Smith

Found: Superannuation Fund Australia David Richard Phillips SMSF Australia David ROPS Fund Australia David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: 7 vehicle(s), 50 trailer(s) OC1062608 R SMITH BROTHERS STORES LIMITED Director(s): ANTHONY DAVID SMITH

Found: Breakwell Englefield Green South East doug@dougbreakwellphoto.co.uk Road & All Classes 18/04/2029 David Smith

Found: FullTransferredNot LinkedGSC Estates (Wantage) Ltd, Lidl Great Britain Ltd and Richard William Smith, Roger David Smith