Oral Questions


Week beginning Monday 19 January 2026

Monday 19 January 2026

Lord Strasburger to ask His Majesty’s Government when they plan to publish the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s code of practice on single-sex spaces.  To be answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Office for Equality and Opportunity)

Lord Spellar to ask His Majesty’s Government what was the cost of public inquiries in 2025, and what were the Government’s legal costs for representation in public inquiries. To be answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Cabinet Office)

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle to ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce domestic violence against children, and prevent such behaviour being learned and repeated by those under 16. Minister to be confirmed

Viscount Trenchard to ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to make further agreements between the National Nuclear Laboratory and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency in relation to high temperature gas-cooled reactor technology. To be answered by Lord Vallance of Balham (Department for Energy Security & Net Zero)


Tuesday 20 January 2026

Viscount Stansgate to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of capacity on the East Coast Main Line. To be answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Department for Transport)

Lord Leigh of Hurley to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the rising level of youth unemployment. To be answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Department for Work and Pensions).

Baroness O’Grady of Upper Holloway to ask His Majesty’s Government when they plan to conclude the parental leave and pay review, launched in July 2025. Minister to be confirmed.


Wednesday 21 January 2026

Lord Davies of Gower to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the condition, maintenance, and long-term resilience of rail infrastructure on the Great Western Railway network; and what steps they are taking to ensure its reliability following recent flooding and extreme weather. Minister to be confirmed

Baroness Chakrabarti to ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales.  To be answered by the Ministry of Justice (Minister to be confirmed)

Baroness Hazarika to ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to implement the violence against women and girls strategy, published on 18 December. To be answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Home Office)


Thursday 22 January 2026

Lord Snape to ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent the manufacture, sale and use of number plates intended to defeat enforcement cameras, including automatic number plate recognition systems; and whether they plan to strengthen regulation or enforcement in this area. Minister to be confirmed.

Lord Pitkeathley of Camden Town to ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the UK is adequately prepared for the risks and opportunities presented by advances in artificial intelligence. Minister to be confirmed.

Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury to ask His Majesty’s Government for an update on the appointment of the freelance champion for the creative industries as announced in the Creative Industries Sector Plan on 23 June. To be answered by Baroness Twycross (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)


Week beginning Monday 19 January 2026