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  • Lord Judd – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Lord Judd – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) about the condition of Palestinian refugees and UNRWA staff following the recent bombing near Qabr Essit camp, Sayyida Zeinab, including threats to life, and access to food, water, and health services; and what action they are taking both multilaterally and unilaterally to relieve the situation.

    Baroness Verma

    Da’esh has claimed responsibility for indiscriminate attacks in the Sayyida Zeinab area that have killed dozens of civilians since the beginning of the year. We share UNRWA’s concerns about the volatile situation on the ground, including its impact on the Palestinian refugee camp at nearby Qabr Essit.

    We have given over £59 million to UNRWA to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees affected by the violence in Syria. Through the International Syria Support Group and UN Security Council, we are pushing for improved humanitarian access to all those in need across Syria and supporting attempts to find a political settlement that will end the conflict.

  • Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 23 February (HL6149), whether they plan to correct the Department for Communities and Local Government press release of 9 October 2015 from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Mr Brandon Lewis, on higher earning tenants.

    Baroness Williams of Trafford

    The press notice was issued in support of the Pay to Stay consultation, and the figures used are consistent with the Written Answer of 23 February 2016. Whilst the policy position has developed since the consultation closed, this does not require an update of the earlier press notice.

  • Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have used the figure of £50,000 in debates in the House on the pay to stay” high income thresholds (HL Deb 14 March

    Baroness Williams of Trafford

    The figure of £50,000 has been used to illustrate that there are over 40,000 social rented households with incomes well above average. Households with an income of over £50,000 are in the top 20 per cent of households across all tenures. Social housing should be prioritised to those genuinely in need. There will be households on lower incomes who are more in need of social housing for rent.

  • and proposals to raise that to household incomes of £40 – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    and proposals to raise that to household incomes of £40 – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by and proposals to raise that to household incomes of £40 on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the reduction of funds collected under the pay to stay” proposals for household incomes of £30

    Baroness Williams of Trafford

    It is estimated that setting the income thresholds at £40,000 nationally and £50,000 in London would significantly reduce savings from the policy. The policy would apply to a far smaller number of people and the operation of a taper means that tenants in this income bracket would be paying a far smaller contribution towards their rent.

  • Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    We consider the human rights situation in Zimbabwe to be fragile. This Government’s manifesto included a commitment to stand up for the rule of law and human rights in Zimbabwe. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 2015 Annual Human Rights Report lists Zimbabwe as a Priority Country. We continue to call, both bilaterally and in partnership with others, for an end to abuses and the restoration of internationally accepted standards.

  • Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    Since the election of President Sirisena in January 2015 the Sri Lankan government has taken a number of positive steps to improve the human rights situation in the country. We welcomed the historic co-sponsorship by Sri Lanka of a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council on 1 October 2015 committing it to reconciliation, accountability and the protection of human rights. We have been encouraged by the early progress Sri Lanka has made in delivering on these commitments. This includes starting public consultations on reconciliation mechanisms and constitutional reform, the return of some military occupied land and the release on bail of some long-term Tamil detainees held under anti-terrorism legislation.

    While there has been progress, we recognise that there is still much to be done and Sri Lanka remains listed as a Human Rights Priority Country in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s latest Human Rights and Democracy Report published in April. We remain committed to supporting and encouraging the Sri Lankan government to deliver fully against its commitments.

  • Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Kennedy of Southwark – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the human rights situation in the Ivory Coast.

    Baroness Anelay of St Johns

    The British Government welcomes the progress made by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire on the issue of human rights, most notably on combating sexual violence against women and providing compensation for victims of past conflicts. We are encouraged that the Ivorian authorities have prioritised improving the poor condition of their prisons. The UK also welcomes progress made by the judiciary in combating impunity. We have urged the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to ensure that all those responsible for crimes against humanity are held accountable for their actions, regardless of political, regional, religious or tribal affiliations.

  • Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provision for language interpretation services has been provided for Eritrean nationals in Calais who may lack the necessary level of English to complete an asylum request.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

    Responsibility for the processing of asylum claims in Calais is a matter for the French Government.

  • Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Eritrean nationals were required to pay fees for their asylum appeals in (1) 2013, (2) 2014, and (3) 2015.

    Lord Faulks

    The numbers of Eritrean nationals who lodged an asylum appeal in the UK or from overseas in the three years up to December 2015 are:

    Total

    Within the UK

    Outside the UK

    2013

    122

    122

    0

    2014

    241

    240

    1

    2015

    1,856

    1,854

    2

    The numbers of Eritrean nationals who were required to pay a fee for their asylum appeal in the three years up to December 2015 are:

    Total

    2013

    1

    2014

    2

    2015

    23

    Notes to tables:

    1. Figures include Asylum, Protection and Revocation of Protection appeals.

    2. Figures provided are taken from internal management information and not subject to the same quality checks as Official Statistics.

  • Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 2016-04-28.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many appeals lodged against initial asylum refusals by Eritrean nationals were lodged (1) within the UK, and (2) outside the UK, in (a) 2013, (b) 2014, and (c) 2015.

    Lord Faulks

    The numbers of Eritrean nationals who lodged an asylum appeal in the UK or from overseas in the three years up to December 2015 are:

    Total

    Within the UK

    Outside the UK

    2013

    122

    122

    0

    2014

    241

    240

    1

    2015

    1,856

    1,854

    2

    The numbers of Eritrean nationals who were required to pay a fee for their asylum appeal in the three years up to December 2015 are:

    Total

    2013

    1

    2014

    2

    2015

    23

    Notes to tables:

    1. Figures include Asylum, Protection and Revocation of Protection appeals.

    2. Figures provided are taken from internal management information and not subject to the same quality checks as Official Statistics.