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UK Parliament

Hong Kong and tuition fees in Lords questions for government

17 July 2020

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The House of Lords checks and challenges government decisions and action at the start of business from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 July.

This week, members question the government on issues including a smoke-free England, Hong Kong, teaching creative subjects and reimbursing tuition fees.

Friday 23 July

Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat) will ask a Private Notice Question (an urgent question) about the COVID-19 lockdown and domestic abuse victims.

Catch up: Monday 20 July

Lord Grade of Yarmouth (Conservative) pressed the government to ensure independent pharmacies can support their local communities.
Members discussed topics including development of the role of pharmacies to help provide services normally dealt with by GPs such as flu vaccines and blood pressure checks.

Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat) questioned the government about meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Members discussed subjects including strengthening local authority powers in biodiversity, and safeguarding the genetic diversity of farmed and domesticated animals. 

Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour) questioned the government about its plans to make England smoke-free by 2030.
Members discussed subjects including the rates of smoking in pregnancy, smoke-free outside areas in pubs and restaurants, and tobacco sales licences.

Lord Aberdare (Crossbench) asked the government about ensuring young people are prepared for work in a post-COVID-19 environment.
Members discussed topics including renewing careers advice guidance to reflect the current jobs market, prioritising apprenticeships and the importance of foreign language skills.

Catch up: Tuesday 21 July

Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat) quizzed the government about the political situation in Hong Kong.
Members discussed the persecution of minorities in China, the suppression of peaceful protests by the Chinese government, and the Sino-British agreement.

Baroness Massey of Darwen (Labour) pressed the government on the impact of COVID-19 on social mobility.
Subjects discussed included past failures to improve social mobility, extending the ban on evictions and free college meal vouchers.

Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat) questioned the government on the impact of COVID-19 on the childcare sector.
Members discussed topics including funding in the childcare sector and support for early years provisions in disadvantaged parts of the country.

Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) quizzed government on including a human rights threshold in telecommunications legislation.
Members discussed Huawei's possible role in oppressing the Uighur Muslims, and organ harvesting in China.

The Lord Bishop of St. Albans asked government a Private Notice Question (a type of urgent question) about the rise of knife crime in England and Wales.
Topics discussed included increasing youth services, strengthening community policing, and the stop and search system.

Catch up: Wednesday 22 July

Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour) questioned the government on the impact of COVID-19 on progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Topics discussed included eradicating extreme poverty, the merger of the Department for International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and gender inequality.

The Earl of Clancarty (Crossbench) questioned the government about support for schools in teaching creative subjects.
Members discussed core subjects being prioritised over the arts, and support for charities that provide arts workshops and training.

Lord Lexden (Conservative) sought information from the government about the reopening of churches.
Topics discussed included government support for historic places of worship, and the extra services churches provide such as childcare and running foodbanks.

Lord Cormack (Conservative) quizzed government on proposals to relocate Parliament during the restoration of the Palace of Westminster.
Members discussed suggestions that both Houses of Parliament may temporarily move to York, the restoration of the Palace of Westminster, and reform of the House of Lords.

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour) asked a Private Notice Question (an urgent question) on the Intelligence and Security Committee report on Russia.
Members discussed allegations of espionage and illicit dealings by Russian citizens in the UK, and alleged interference in shale gas.

Catch up: Thursday 23 July

Lord Clark of Windermere (Labour) asked the government about its plans to reimburse tuition fees for healthcare students and NHS workers.
Members discussed pay increases for nurses, the removal of the nursing bursary, and travel and accommodation support for nursing students.

Lord Dobbs (Conservative) questioned the government about the proposed tunnel by-passing Stonehenge.
Topics discussed included the increased costs and delays to the project, and the potential to put a ring road around the site to avoid building the tunnel.

Lord Best (Crossbench) challenged the government on its action to reform the debt collection process.
Members discussed fair methods for collecting council tax debts and pre-action protocols for debt collection.

Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) asked about the Student Loan Company and its online systems.
Topics discussed included the impact of student loans on recruitment and the implementation of a Sharia-compliant student loan scheme.

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