The Committee is examining the UK Government’s approach to Syria following the collapse of the Assad Regime in December 2024 and the establishment of a transitional government. 

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, other than special advisers if her Department has appointed anyone from outside the civil service since July 2024.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has conducted open recruitment exercises for a large number of posts at all levels since July 2024, which has often meant appointing individuals from outside the civil service.

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 her Laotian counterpart on the protection of Christian converts and other religious minority communities in that country.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The UK is committed to promoting and defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The UK has discussed freedom of religion or belief with the Lao authorities through bilateral dialogue, including at the UK-Laos Political Dialogue which took place in London in September 2025. We also work through the UN to promote and protect these rights, including raising country specific issues at the UN Human Rights Council. Laos' UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held in 2025, during which the UK raised concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and religion.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking in response to ongoing restrictions put on women in Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 April in response to Question 122807.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of levels of UK foreign direct investment into Georgia, in the context of reported targeting of journalists and peaceful protesters in the country, and and the continued detention of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.

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

The UK remains committed to supporting democracy, human rights and media freedom in Georgia. We continue to monitor developments closely, including reports of violence against peaceful protesters and the imprisonment of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, whose case we have raised publicly and privately with the Georgian authorities. The UK has consistently made clear that respect for the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and democratic institutions is important for Georgia's long-term prosperity and attractiveness as a destination for international investment. While investment decisions are made by businesses, we regularly assess political and economic developments in Georgia as part of our broader bilateral engagement.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 29 May 2025, to Question 2053, on Treaties: Parliamentary Scrutiny, for what policy reason does the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office not keep a central list of such instruments.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Hon Member's proposal has been rejected by successive governments, due primarily to the impracticality of the exercise, and the bureaucratic burden it would create.

I refer the Hon Member in particular to the then government's response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, published on 18 April 2024, and to the current government's response to the House of Lords International Agreements Committee, published on 3 December 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing further sanctions against Israel for the loss of British property around Bethlehem Children with Disability charity in the Nur Shams refugee camp.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 9 June, and to her responses on these issues in departmental oral questions on 16 June.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they consider that Israel’s continued refusal to permit the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Palestinian detainees held in Israeli places of detention since October 2023 is compatible with its obligations under international humanitarian law; and, if not, what practical consequences will follow for their future engagement with Israel.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Baroness to the answer of 16 April 2026 to Question HL6417.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the report, Unshielded Childhood: Palestinian children and teenagers killed by Israel in the West Bank in 2025, published by B'Tselem on 29 June, for the conduct of United Kingdom foreign policy towards Israel and Palestine.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

We have been deeply concerned both by this report, and the related 18 June report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

We believe that the impact of the conflict in Gaza on children is a moral outrage, and the allegations that children have been deliberately targeted by Israeli forces are deeply alarming. International law is clear that children must always be protected, and their rights upheld, and any violation of those principles must be treated with the utmost seriousness.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department made of the potential impact of Lord Mandelson's shareholdings in Global Counsel on his suitability to be appointed as UK Ambassador to the United States prior to that appointment being made.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson (a) completed and (b) passed his STRAP clearance process when Ambassador.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2026 to Question 3351 on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson as Ambassador provided advice in relation to the (a) decision of the Government not to publish the China Audit and (b) the presentation of the conclusions of the China Audit.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson was investigated for misconduct under the Civil Servant Code or Diplomatic Service Code prior to his dismissal.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking with international partners (1) to combat antisemitism within (a) the United Nations, and (b) other international organisations; and (2) to ensure that allegations of antisemitism by UN officials and mandate holders are appropriately addressed.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK continues to value the role of UN agencies, mandate holders, special rapporteurs, and others who provide expertise, coordination and leadership in support of international-agreed objectives and issues of concern. However, it is vital that they do so in a way that is independent, objective, and maintains the confidence of Member States. For example, along with several other countries, the UK has raised concerns about a series of comments made by the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and we have asked that the comments of the Special Rapporteur be urgently investigated against the Code of Conduct for her post, and for action to be taken to restore the confidence of the international community in the independence and objectivity of the Special Rapporteur system.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in her Department have had discussions with Inter Mediate on the British Indian Ocean Territory since July 2024.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers provided on 15 September 2025 in response to Question 69770, and on 5 February 2026 in response to Question 108231.

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 international counterparts on improving the security and physical protection of humanitarian personnel operating in conflict zones in Ukraine.

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

The UK condemns Russia's attacks affecting humanitarian personnel, infrastructure and supplies in Ukraine. We continue to hold Russia to account through the UN Security Council, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as through our sanctions regime, and support for investigations and accountability mechanisms. We also work with international partners to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law and practical protection for aid workers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what financial contribution has the UK made, or plans to make, to help the humanitarian appeals for assistance following the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement on the UK response to the Venezuela earthquakes, laid before the House on 6 July 2026 (HCWS185), which sets out the Government's financial contribution and wider support for the humanitarian response.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to hold the Russian Government accountable for missile strikes targeting humanitarian workers.

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

The UK condemns Russia's attacks affecting humanitarian personnel, infrastructure and supplies in Ukraine. We continue to hold Russia to account through the UN Security Council, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as through our sanctions regime, and support for investigations and accountability mechanisms. We also work with international partners to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law and practical protection for aid workers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date did Jonathan Powell commence his role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he has received on all the other occasions he has asked variations of the same question over the past five months, including Questions 115117, 117954, 129315, 129318 and 129513.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the written statement of 1 July 2026, on Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, HCWS173, whether the payments relating to the EU Flagship Fund and EU Anti-Corruption Initiative will involve direct UK Exchequer contributions to the European Union.

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

No. UK payments will go directly to the fund and initiative in question.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the October 2025 guidance on Direct Ministerial Appointments, for what reason has the remuneration of the Special Envoy on Chagos not been disclosed.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 April in response to Question 124862.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the a) value, b) length and c) scope is of the contract to train the Lebanese police force awarded to Siren Associates Limited in September 2025.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Details of Government contracts are routinely published on the Contracts Finder and Find-a-Tender Service websites.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she last attended the UK Soft Power Council.

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

Details of the dates and attendees at meetings of the UK Soft Power Council are routinely published on the council's webpage at GOV.UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the People's Republic of China's compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration; whether they intend to introduce legislation to automatically upgrade British National (Overseas) (BNO) status to full British Citizenship for all Hong Kongers born as British subjects; and what assessment they have made of the financial barriers of the current BNO visa route for individuals whose citizenship rights were removed by the Hong Kong Act 1985.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK is clear that China remains in an ongoing state of non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, as set out in our six-monthly reports on Hong Kong, the most recent edition of which was published on 26 March.

The UK's commitment to the people of Hong Kong remains steadfast, and is exemplified by the bespoke immigration route for British Nationals (Overseas). Those with BN(O) status and their eligible family members can apply to come to the UK to live, study and work, on a pathway to citizenship.

We are aware that some individuals who have taken up the BN(O) route are having difficulties accessing their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) from Hong Kong. We continue to raise this issue with the Hong Kong Government and the MPF Authorities to encourage a solution.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Palestinian Authority about (1) reforming, or (2) dismantling, the Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund in the period since the UK recognised the State of Palestine.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 3 March in response to Question 908079, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

The Palestinian Authority has committed publicly to the principle of non-violence, including a new social security system that will ensure future welfare payments are needs-based and delinked from violent actions. An independent audit has been commissioned to verify the implementation of these and other reform commitments, and we will review the results when it is published.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representation, if any, has been made to the government of Israel regarding reports of the continued forced displacement of Palestinians by settlers in the occupied territories; and what sanctions, if any, they plan to impose in response.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the responses I gave when this issue was raised in the House on 6 July by Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, Official Report, vol. 858, cols. 5-8.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representation, if any, they have made to the Government of Israel on furthering a two state solution, in light of their approval of the E1 settlement construction plan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the responses I gave when this issue was raised in the House on 6 July by Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, Official Report, vol. 858, cols. 5-8.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made on any violation by Israel of the Fourth Geneva Convention over illegal settlements on occupied territory in the West Bank.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the responses I gave when this issue was raised in the House on 6 July by Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, Official Report, vol. 858, cols. 5-8.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action, if any, they are taking to prevent the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar and the forcible transfer of its residents.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the responses I gave when this issue was raised in the House on 6 July by Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, Official Report, vol. 858, cols. 5-8.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of British citizens who have joined the Israel Defence Forces in their occupation of Gaza and conflict in Lebanon.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 24 October 2024 in response to Question 9184, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

"We are aware of reports of UK citizens travelling to fight for the Israel Defense Force (IDF), but the Government does not estimate the numbers of those who have done so. The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of their additional nationalities."

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what emergency humanitarian response plans they have to prevent the worsening of humanitarian needs and mass displacement in El Obeid, Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Further to the answers provided in the Private Notice Question debate on 24 June, the UK is continuing to use its role as UN Security Council penholder to urge an immediate end to the violence in El Obeid, in concert with our fellow members of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention for Sudan, and other international partners.

On 3 July, the UK convened an Urgent Debate at the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in El Obeid, and on 6 July, we secured the adoption by consensus of a UK-led resolution, condemning - and calling for an urgent inquiry by the UN Fact-Finding Mission into - recently reported atrocities.

We will continue using every lever available over the coming days and weeks to try and prevent the mass civilian casualties in El Obeid that we all fear.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nicaragua about the human rights implications of the arbitrary detention of Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, Bishop Emeritus of Estelí, and other religious leaders on 29 and 30 June, and the subsequent surveillance of them.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

As set out in the UK's statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 16 March, we remain deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaragua. This includes ongoing harassment and the arbitrary detention of members of the Church. We will continue to monitor developments closely and urge the Nicaraguan authorities to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, including those held because of their faith or belief.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Bahrain concerning the revocation of citizenship from a number of Shia Muslims on 27 April; and what assessment they have made of the implications for freedom of religion or belief, family life, and protection from statelessness.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question HL522.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of an Amnesty International investigation that the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their campaign to seize the city of el-Fasher; and what actions they are taking to bring those responsible to justice.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer he received on 29 April in response to Question HL16653.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of its consular surge capacity to support British nationals in the event of a large-scale overseas crisis.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Consular and crisis support is available 24/7 through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) contact centre and global network. When a crisis results in increased consular assistance requests, the FCDO may send a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) to the affected region to support British nationals. A rotating roster ensures that a team can always be deployed at short notice.

In 2024-25, the last full financial year for which data is available, the FCDO answered over 400,000 requests for consular support from British nationals overseas, and provided detailed consular assistance in over 22,000 cases, including giving support to families of more than 6,000 British nationals who had died abroad, and 3,500 who had been hospitalised. In 2024-25, 85% of service users were satisfied with the service received. Extensive further information about consular services is published on GOV.UK and in the FCDO's annual report.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the recommendation in the report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel that Member States conduct investigations under domestic or universal jurisdiction of individuals suspected of participating in unlawful acts of violence against Palestinian children, including dual nationals.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has always recognised the right of British dual nationals to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationality. But as with any conflict, anyone who travels overseas to fight, or to assist others engaged in conflict, may commit offences under UK law if they fail to act consistently with applicable international law, and could face investigation and prosecution on their return to the UK.

Those are decisions for the operationally-independent police and Crown Prosecution Service to take, based on the evidence in each individual case. Anyone who has evidence of a British national engaging in illegal activity should submit it to the Met Police, including any violations of the rights of children under International Humanitarian Law, of the kind alleged in the UN report to which the Hon Member refers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing prosecutorial guidance relating to offences under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 allegedly committed overseas by UK nationals or dual nationals.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has always recognised the right of British dual nationals to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationality. But as with any conflict, anyone who travels overseas to fight, or to assist others engaged in conflict, may commit offences under UK law if they fail to act consistently with applicable international law, and could face investigation and prosecution on their return to the UK.

Those are decisions for the operationally-independent police and Crown Prosecution Service to take, based on the evidence in each individual case. Anyone who has evidence of a British national engaging in illegal activity should submit it to the Met Police, including any violations of the rights of children under International Humanitarian Law, of the kind alleged in the UN report to which the Hon Member refers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether allegations that a UK national or dual national committed offences under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 while serving with the Israel Defense Forces would be investigated by the appropriate UK law enforcement authorities where there is sufficient evidential basis.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has always recognised the right of British dual nationals to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationality. But as with any conflict, anyone who travels overseas to fight, or to assist others engaged in conflict, may commit offences under UK law if they fail to act consistently with applicable international law, and could face investigation and prosecution on their return to the UK.

Those are decisions for the operationally-independent police and Crown Prosecution Service to take, based on the evidence in each individual case. Anyone who has evidence of a British national engaging in illegal activity should submit it to the Met Police, including any violations of the rights of children under International Humanitarian Law, of the kind alleged in the UN report to which the Hon Member refers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what discussions have taken place with the Department of Health and Social Care on NHS capacity to receive medically evacuated children.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press release cited in his questions, and the extensive debates, statements and announcements that have taken place on medical evacuations and humanitarian programmes over the last year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what measures will be taken alongside medical evacuations to improve the healthcare outcomes for Palestinian children.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press release cited in his questions, and the extensive debates, statements and announcements that have taken place on medical evacuations and humanitarian programmes over the last year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many of her staff are trained for deployment as part of her Department's Rapid Deployment Teams for consular crises.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Consular and crisis support is available 24/7 through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) contact centre and global network. When a crisis results in increased consular assistance requests, the FCDO may send a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) to the affected region to support British nationals. A rotating roster ensures that a team can always be deployed at short notice.

In 2024-25, the last full financial year for which data is available, the FCDO answered over 400,000 requests for consular support from British nationals overseas, and provided detailed consular assistance in over 22,000 cases, including giving support to families of more than 6,000 British nationals who had died abroad, and 3,500 who had been hospitalised. In 2024-25, 85% of service users were satisfied with the service received. Extensive further information about consular services is published on GOV.UK and in the FCDO's annual report.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral answer of 18 June 2026 on support for Christians in Palestine, what representations she has made to the Government of Israel on the protection of Palestinian Christians, including clergy, religious workers and places of worship, and on accountability for harassment, vandalism and attacks affecting Christian communities and Christian property.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all, and we are concerned by reports of harassment, vandalism and attacks affecting Christian communities. It is vital that the places of worship used by each religious community are treated with respect and dignity, and that all communities, including Palestinian Christians, are able to practise their faith or belief free from intimidation or violence. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem will continue to engage with church leaders and the Christian community in Palestine, to listen to their concerns.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of Jordan's custodianship of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem on maintaining the status quo and regional stability.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK continues to support the historic status quo arrangements at Jerusalem's holy sites. We recognise and value the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan's essential role as custodian of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The protection of these arrangements is important for freedom of religion or belief, access to places of worship, and regional stability. The UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. The Government of Israel must work with religious communities to facilitate worship in line with the status quo.

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 secure the release of Dr Abu Safiya and other medical staff from Israeli prisons, following the findings by UN Special Rapporteurs on 7 July 2026 that their detention is arbitrary.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 15 July in response to Question 16811.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policy of the reconstruction in Syria.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

On the reconstruction challenges facing Syria, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 4 June in response to Question 5915. The UK provided £104 million to Syria for financial year 2025/26, funding life-saving humanitarian assistance, as well as support for Syria's longer-term recovery.

On the specific issue of food security, the World Food Programme reports that conditions are gradually improving. However, more than 80 per cent of Syrian families are still unable to reliably access enough nutritious food. This assessment helps shape UK support through our agriculture and humanitarian assistance programmes, which aim to improve food security, support livelihoods and strengthen resilience.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of current levels of food security in Syria.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

On the reconstruction challenges facing Syria, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 4 June in response to Question 5915. The UK provided £104 million to Syria for financial year 2025/26, funding life-saving humanitarian assistance, as well as support for Syria's longer-term recovery.

On the specific issue of food security, the World Food Programme reports that conditions are gradually improving. However, more than 80 per cent of Syrian families are still unable to reliably access enough nutritious food. This assessment helps shape UK support through our agriculture and humanitarian assistance programmes, which aim to improve food security, support livelihoods and strengthen resilience.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure regular communication between Craig and Lindsay Foreman and their family in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There is no significant update to provide the Hon Member beyond the answer I gave him on 30 June in response to Question 12428. However, I can assure him that we are continuing to raise the issues he has highlighted on a regular basis with the Iranian authorities, and providing consular assistance directly to Craig and Lindsay. I will keep the Hon Member updated as and when there are new developments to report.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the organisation of an independent medical assessment of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There is no significant update to provide the Hon Member beyond the answer I gave him on 30 June in response to Question 12428. However, I can assure him that we are continuing to raise the issues he has highlighted on a regular basis with the Iranian authorities, and providing consular assistance directly to Craig and Lindsay. I will keep the Hon Member updated as and when there are new developments to report.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the delivery of medical and personal hygiene items to Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There is no significant update to provide the Hon Member beyond the answer I gave him on 30 June in response to Question 12428. However, I can assure him that we are continuing to raise the issues he has highlighted on a regular basis with the Iranian authorities, and providing consular assistance directly to Craig and Lindsay. I will keep the Hon Member updated as and when there are new developments to report.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made representations to the Government of Israel on the (a) detention, (b) welfare, and (c) legal status of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, including reports that he has been held without charge and subjected to torture and medical neglect.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I am deeply concerned by the recent reports of Dr Abu Safiya's mistreatment whilst in Israeli custody. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has raised this case again with the Israeli Embassy in London and at senior levels across Israeli Government.

We have been consistently clear that all detainees must be treated with dignity and in full accordance with international law, and that any allegations of torture or mistreatment must be thoroughly investigated.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of reports of the (a) torture, (b) mistreatment, and (c) denial of adequate medical care, of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli custody.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I am deeply concerned by the recent reports of Dr Abu Safiya's mistreatment whilst in Israeli custody. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has raised this case again with the Israeli Embassy in London and at senior levels across Israeli Government.

We have been consistently clear that all detainees must be treated with dignity and in full accordance with international law, and that any allegations of torture or mistreatment must be thoroughly investigated.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with counterparts in Ghana, Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire on the proposed cost of living tariff suspensions on fresh bananas and their potential impact on those countries' exports to the UK.

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

On 27th May, HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched a four-week stakeholder consultation on a proposal to suspend tariffs on a package of agri-food products, including bananas. As part of that Call for Input, officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) engaged with a range of overseas governments, local businesses and trade associations about the impact of the proposals on producers in developing countries. The FCDO will work with HM Treasury and DBT to ensure that the evidence provided by those stakeholders is carefully considered before any final decisions are taken.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's revised staff vetting and oversight procedures, following the dismissal of some of its staff members due to their alleged involvement in the attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK continues to support the full implementation of the Colonna Report by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to ensure that the agency meets the highest standards on neutrality and integrity, including the recommendations relating to staff vetting, conduct and oversight. The last Quarterly Colonna Progress Report, published on 11 May, stated that 40 out of 50 recommendations had now been implemented in full, and we look forward to evidence of further progress in the next report, covering the period April-June 2026.

In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manages UK funds.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their recent announcement that they will provide an additional £23 million contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, what accountability conditions they have attached to that funding.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK continues to support the full implementation of the Colonna Report by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to ensure that the agency meets the highest standards on neutrality and integrity, including the recommendations relating to staff vetting, conduct and oversight. The last Quarterly Colonna Progress Report, published on 11 May, stated that 40 out of 50 recommendations had now been implemented in full, and we look forward to evidence of further progress in the next report, covering the period April-June 2026.

In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manages UK funds.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are taking any measures to sanction Israel in response to reports of violations of the latest ceasefire agreement in Gaza which prevent humanitarian aid from reaching families.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 29 April in response to Question HL14316.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2026 to Question 6444 on Lord Mandelson, if she will set out in which ways the policy of commenting on individual personnel matters has applied in relation to the response to the House's Humble Address on Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent further sexual violence in Sudan; whether they are collecting evidence of those who have suffered sexual violence; and what plans they have to hold perpetrators to account.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK remains determined to tackle the abhorrent levels of conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls in Sudan, including the widespread use of rape as a weapon of war.

Since the start of the conflict, we have prioritised work on protection, prevention and care services, providing access to vital medical and psychological care, supporting survivors' families, and supporting women-led organisations to deliver essential services on-the-ground. Earlier this year, the Foreign Secretary announced a further £20 million of funding for these activities after meeting survivors in the border town of Adré.

Alongside our atrocity prevention work, the UK is also committed to gathering evidence of atrocities to support future prosecutions. We led efforts to establish the UN Fact-Finding Mission and have secured its mandate extension for two successive years. We also supported the deployment of a specialist sexual and gender-based violence investigator last year, and through our Sudan Witness programme, we are supporting Sudanese human rights defenders to document violations and abuses, including evidence of CRSV, to ensure Sudanese civil society can build a foundation for justice. We have also earmarked funding for development of a women-led investigations network.

We need urgent action from across the international community now, including international criminal investigations into the atrocities committed to date, to ensure accountability for the perpetrators, justice for victims, and an end to the systematic campaign of sexual violence against Sudanese women and girls.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the remarks by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 24 June (HL Debs cols 663–6), what imminent steps will be taken to protect civilians from the risk of violence and atrocities in El Obeid.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Further to the answers provided in the Private Notice Question debate on 24 June, the UK is continuing to use its role as UN Security Council penholder to urge an immediate end to the violence in El Obeid, in concert with our fellow members of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention for Sudan, and other international partners.

On 3 July, the UK convened an Urgent Debate at the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in El Obeid, and on 6 July, we secured the adoption by consensus of a UK-led resolution, condemning - and calling for an urgent inquiry by the UN Fact-Finding Mission into - recently reported atrocities.

We will continue using every lever available over the coming days and weeks to try and prevent the mass civilian casualties in El Obeid that we all fear.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions and diplomatic engagement they are undertaking to prevent further weapons and resources being accessed by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Further to the answers provided in the Private Notice Question debate on 24 June, the UK is continuing to use its role as UN Security Council penholder to urge an immediate end to the violence in El Obeid, in concert with our fellow members of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention for Sudan, and other international partners.

On 3 July, the UK convened an Urgent Debate at the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in El Obeid, and on 6 July, we secured the adoption by consensus of a UK-led resolution, condemning - and calling for an urgent inquiry by the UN Fact-Finding Mission into - recently reported atrocities.

We will continue using every lever available over the coming days and weeks to try and prevent the mass civilian casualties in El Obeid that we all fear.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the National Cyber Security Centre is taking to reduce the (a) number and (b) severity of cyber attacks on UK businesses.

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

The National Cyber Security Centre works round the clock to reduce both the number and severity of cyber attacks affecting UK businesses through a combination of protective cyber defence interventions, practical guidance, incident management and cyber resilience programmes. Further detail about the NCSC's work can be found on its website at: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to identify which British citizens have purchased settlement houses on the West Bank.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the responses I gave when this issue was raised in the House on 6 July by Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, Official Report, vol. 858, cols. 5-8.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the Gulf Strategy Fund was allocated to Bahraini oversight and security institutions in the financial year 2025–26; and what consideration they have given to making future funding conditional on a transparent and independent investigation into the death of Sayed Mohammed al-Mousawi.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

As I have said to the Noble Lord in previous answers, we are aware of the cases referenced in these questions. The UK maintains a constructive and longstanding relationship with Bahrain, enabling frank discussion on a range of issues including human rights. We recognise the important role of the Special Investigation Unit within Bahrain's oversight framework and note that an officer has been sentenced in relation to the death of Sayed Mohammed al-Mousawi.

The Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) programme for the financial year 2025/26 supported a wide range of UK strategic objectives in Bahrain. This included support to security institutions in progressing community justice reforms and exploring avenues of cooperation to counter money laundering and terrorist-financing. All GSF programming is subject to rigorous assessments to ensure it meets with human rights obligations and our values.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations the British Embassy in Manama has made to the Bahraini authorities regarding the charges against the 41 Shia clerics arrested in May; and on what dates these representations took place.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

As I have said to the Noble Lord in previous answers, we are aware of the cases referenced in these questions. The UK maintains a constructive and longstanding relationship with Bahrain, enabling frank discussion on a range of issues including human rights. We recognise the important role of the Special Investigation Unit within Bahrain's oversight framework and note that an officer has been sentenced in relation to the death of Sayed Mohammed al-Mousawi.

The Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) programme for the financial year 2025/26 supported a wide range of UK strategic objectives in Bahrain. This included support to security institutions in progressing community justice reforms and exploring avenues of cooperation to counter money laundering and terrorist-financing. All GSF programming is subject to rigorous assessments to ensure it meets with human rights obligations and our values.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Bahrain’s Special Investigation Unit is sufficiently independent to conduct an impartial investigation into the death of Sayed Mohammed al-Mousawi.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

As I have said to the Noble Lord in previous answers, we are aware of the cases referenced in these questions. The UK maintains a constructive and longstanding relationship with Bahrain, enabling frank discussion on a range of issues including human rights. We recognise the important role of the Special Investigation Unit within Bahrain's oversight framework and note that an officer has been sentenced in relation to the death of Sayed Mohammed al-Mousawi.

The Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) programme for the financial year 2025/26 supported a wide range of UK strategic objectives in Bahrain. This included support to security institutions in progressing community justice reforms and exploring avenues of cooperation to counter money laundering and terrorist-financing. All GSF programming is subject to rigorous assessments to ensure it meets with human rights obligations and our values.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports by Human Rights Watch that the revocation of citizenship of 69 individuals on 27 April by the Bahraini authorities has rendered at least 46 of them stateless, including children; and what assessment they have made of Bahrain's compliance with Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

As I have said to the Noble Lord in previous answers, we are aware of the cases referenced in these questions. The UK maintains a constructive and longstanding relationship with Bahrain, enabling frank discussion on a range of issues including human rights. We recognise the important role of the Special Investigation Unit within Bahrain's oversight framework and note that an officer has been sentenced in relation to the death of Sayed Mohammed al-Mousawi.

The Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) programme for the financial year 2025/26 supported a wide range of UK strategic objectives in Bahrain. This included support to security institutions in progressing community justice reforms and exploring avenues of cooperation to counter money laundering and terrorist-financing. All GSF programming is subject to rigorous assessments to ensure it meets with human rights obligations and our values.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, With reference to the answer of 16 April 2026, to Question 124809, on FCDO: Inter Mediate, and with reference to the publication, FCDO: departmental spending over £25,000, for what reason the last published transparency return for FCDO spending data was on February 2025 for the period of January 2025.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spending transparency data for the period since January 2025 has been delayed as a result of the transition to a new reporting process, but will be published in the normal way in due course.

Such delays are not unusual. For example, spending data for the entire period from June 2022 to October 2024 was only published for the first time on 28 November 2024.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her Pakistani counterpart on human rights in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 June in response to Question 7530, and I can assure her that we are continuing to monitor developments carefully, and discuss them with our international counterparts as necessary.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2026 to Question 11747 on International Broadcasting, whether any Minister in her Department has had discussions with stakeholders on Western international broadcasting capacity in (a) Africa, (b) the Middle East and (c) South and South East Asia since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is not aware of any such discussions, but details of all ministerial meetings with external organisations are routinely published by the FCDO in its quarterly transparency releases.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Iran has contravened the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since the start of recent hostilities between USA and Israel and Iran.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK has long made clear that Iran's human rights record is unacceptable - a position that has not changed since the outset of the US/Iran conflict on 28 February 2026. We continue to pressure Iran, both directly and at the UN, to end its human rights violations and to protect the rights of the Iranian people. On 16 March 2026, UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, said at the UN Human Rights Council that the Iranian authorities must not seek, as we have seen in the past, to exploit conflict to inflict further violence on its people and on 16 June, she highlighted at the Council the continued execution of protesters and Iran's longstanding suppression of peaceful dissent. We continue to support accountability efforts toward the Iranian authorities' abhorrent crackdown on the January 2026 protests, which the Foreign Secretary condemned in the House on 13 January and alongside G7 Foreign Ministers on 15 January. The Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, summoned the Iranian Ambassador to the UK on 13 January, making clear the UK's opposition to the regime's brutal use of violence and repression against peaceful protesters. We maintain 105 human rights sanctions against the Iranian regime.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026 to Question 12683, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing (a) for a debate, (b) for scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, and (c) for any other parliamentary procedure before the provisional application of the UK-EU Gibraltar Treaty.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers I provided to her and other Members on this subject at departmental oral questions on 21 April and in the debate held in Westminster Hall on 8 July 2026 where I answered questions from the Rt Hon Member.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the warning by the UN Security Council over the imminent risk of mass atrocities in the Sudanese city of El Obeid, what urgent diplomatic steps the UK has taken to prevent such atrocities; and, in particular, what discussions they have had with the government of the United Arab Emirates.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 9 July in response to Question HL1347.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the warning by the UN Security Council over the imminent risk of mass atrocities in the Sudanese city of El Obeid, what action the Government is taking to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on civilians, including women and girls, in Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 9 July in response to Question HL1347.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take diplomatic steps to ensure accountability mechanisms in response to the United Nations Commission of Inquiry findings on violations against Palestinian children in Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 July in response to Question 13226.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to make a public statement in response to the United Nations Commission of Inquiry report on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 July in response to Question 13226.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what training her Department provides on AI; and (a) how many hours and (b) what topics and skills are covered by such training.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides a range of artificial intelligence (AI) learning opportunities for staff, including online learning, practical workshops and instructor-led training, to help staff use AI safely, responsibly and effectively in their work. The type and amount of training available varies depending on the course selected, but frequent topics covered include research and information retrieval, analysis, translation, productivity techniques, and understanding the opportunities, limitations, and risks associated with AI. While our training covers AI broadly, there is a particular focus on Microsoft Copilot as the Department's primary AI tool for workplace productivity and collaboration.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the findings of the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel's report entitled The essence of childhood has been destroyed: Israel’s deliberate targeting of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October 2023, published on 18 June 2026, that acts committed in Gaza may be classed as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 July in response to Question 13226.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the findings of the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel's report entitled The essence of childhood has been destroyed: Israel’s deliberate targeting of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October 2023, published on 18 June 2026, that Israeli authorities have deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 July in response to Question 13226.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4161 on Government departments: marketing, how much has been spent on branded goods and merchandise by her Department since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter was sent; and on what items.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the information Lord Mandelson provided as part of the vetting process for his appointment to UK Ambassador to the United States impacted his dismissal from that role.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The Prime Minister made the decision to withdraw Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States on 11 September 2025. The decision was made in light of the publication of emails written by Peter Mandelson that showed that the depth and extent of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any (a) Memorandums of Understanding and (b) non-legally binding agreements have been agreed between the (i) department and (ii) its agencies, and with the People’s Republic of China, since 4 July that have not been published on gov.uk.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 April in response to Question 126612.

Found: to atrocity and conflict prevention and the role of the Integrated Security Fund Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Ros Eales, Director of Energy, Climate and Environment Directorate at FCDO, helpfully set out the Government

Found: ICF0042 - The UK’s International Climate Finance Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Written Evidence

Found: Overseas cluster is already operating in business as usual and primarily serves the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Chapman of Darlington Minister of State (International Development and Africa) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: whole-of-society mechanisms – The UK government may invest in standing mechanisms that connect the MoD, FCDO

Found: transfer that undermines national security Academic Technology Approval Scheme, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office

Found: References + Annex A References [1] Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (2025) China audit: Foreign

Found: globe, representing over 72% of the inbound value to Britain, and teams are often co- located with FCDO

Found: Economic Security, composed of individuals from a range of departments: Home Office, MoD, DSIT, DBT, FCDO

Found: FCDO – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. HMT – HM Treasury. IoT – Internet of Things.

Found: contributed to policy‑relevant research funded by UK government bodies, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: organised an interactive dialogue with Wilton Park, an executive agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: DSIT – Department for Science, Innovation and Technology ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance FCDO

Found: to atrocity and conflict prevention and the role of the Integrated Security Fund Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: The UK’s current approach draws on knowledge and expertise retained and embedded from the FCDO and DHSC

Found: VisitBritain’s international network, co-located with FCDO around the globe, provides in-market intelligence

Found: a ‘single soft-power team sitting in the Cabinet Office with strong links to both the DCMS and the FCDO

Found: and heritage as highvalue economic assets and aligns DCMS, VisitBritain/VisitEngland, DfE and the FCDO

Found: the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: (DPN0026) 11 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (DPN0026) 12 UK Government

Found: considering the grant funding allocated to the BBC by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: We have also increased the amount of FCDO funding to the BBC World Service by 42% since we came into

Found: from:   • Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, FCDO

Found: This is a flashpoint, and we are doing work on that within FCDO with DESNZ and DEFRA.

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Found: FCDO Posts engage routinely in discussions with host governments on these issues. d.

Found: FCDO Posts engage routinely in discussions with host governments on these issues. d.

Found: a priority for this department, as well as for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: We are very grateful to the FCDO for the uplift for the World Service.

Found: FCDO shared the country allocations with ICAI because ICAI informed us of its intention to produce a

Found: We are very grateful to the FCDO for the uplift for the World Service.

Found: That is a lower bound estimate, as it includes funding via UK institutions (FCDO, Economic and Social

Found: value, through jobs, skills, and productivity rather than abstract influence Question 7: How can the FCDO

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Found: Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State, (International Development and Africa), FCDO

Found: defence spending,23 following a drop from the 0.7% target in 2021.24 According to department figures, FCDO

Found: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Aidan Liddle, head of the parliamentary office at the FCDO

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Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will provide an update on whether there have been any recent military developments in Cuba.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is engaged with FCDO, Cabinet Office and Home Office colleagues in monitoring the situation in Cuba, including the potential for humanitarian impact on our regional overseas territories.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Integrated Security Fund annual report 2024 to 2025, published on 30 October 2025, and the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025], why the Integrated Security Fund refers to gender and not sex; and whether he plans to update the Integrated Security Fund language to sex.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Integrated Security Fund (ISF) uses terminology consistent with relevant legislation, such as the International Development (Gender Equality) Act 2014, and with the FCDO ODA and programme management guidance, such as its Rule 9 on gender equality, disability inclusion, and other equality considerations.

The Fund will continue to follow Cabinet Office and FCDO ODA guidance regarding the language used in its publications and programme documentation.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs is informed when Welsh Government ministers meet foreign diplomats; whether permission is sought for such meetings; and whether (i) her Department and (ii) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs are informed of the content of those meetings.

Answered by Jo Stevens

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Wales Office to monitor and support the Welsh Government’s international engagement on devolved matters.

The FCDO provides support and guidance when the Welsh Government chooses to advise UK Government of these meetings, and where it is appropriate to do so. The FCDO also works to ensure that foreign diplomats are aware of the respective responsibilities of the UK and Devolved Governments.

The Wales Office also engages directly with the FCDO overseas network to support ministerial and official investment missions. For the second year in a row, the UK Government has overseen an increase in the number of foreign investments coming into Wales, alongside a rise in the number of jobs created or protected. The new £2.4m Brand Wales programme will enhance our promotion of Wales' Trade and Investment opportunities.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on their meetings with foreign ambassadors.

Answered by Jo Stevens

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Wales Office to monitor and support the Welsh Government’s international engagement on devolved matters.

The FCDO provides support and guidance when the Welsh Government chooses to advise UK Government of these meetings, and where it is appropriate to do so. The FCDO also works to ensure that foreign diplomats are aware of the respective responsibilities of the UK and Devolved Governments.

The Wales Office also engages directly with the FCDO overseas network to support ministerial and official investment missions. For the second year in a row, the UK Government has overseen an increase in the number of foreign investments coming into Wales, alongside a rise in the number of jobs created or protected. The new £2.4m Brand Wales programme will enhance our promotion of Wales' Trade and Investment opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made representations to his counterpart in the US Government on the case of Sarah Steele and the use of a military trial at RAF Lakenheath for her case.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Halving violence against women and girls is a decade-long mission for this Government. This case is extremely concerning and our thoughts are with the victim, and with the other victims whose experiences have subsequently come to light. Given the cross-agency nature of this case, officials are working across Government to establish the full facts, and FCDO engagement with the US authorities will form part of that work. We are also reviewing what guidance is in place for the police on this type of incident. We will not hesitate to act where victims are being let down.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of mechanisms available to support UK small and medium-sized enterprises in recovering outstanding commercial debts from overseas entities that are subject to UK sanctions.

Answered by Rachel Blake

Where recovery of a commercial debt involves an overseas person or entity subject to UK sanctions, businesses must ensure that any action taken complies with UK sanctions law. In some circumstances, businesses may require a licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, where financial sanctions are engaged, or from the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation where trade sanctions activity falls within its remit.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance her Department provides to UK businesses seeking to verify whether a non-domestic commercial debtor is subject to UK financial sanctions.

Answered by Rachel Blake

Businesses can check whether a person or entity is subject to UK financial sanctions by consulting the UK Sanctions List: FCDO - UK Sanctions List Search - GOV.UK.

Further guidance, including on the territorial scope of UK financial sanctions and circumstances in which a UK nexus may arise, is available in OFSI's published guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-sanctions-general-guidance/uk-financial-sanctions-general-guidance#overview-of-financial-sanctions

The Government keeps the implementation and effectiveness of its sanctions’ regimes under review. The recent review of the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 made targeted changes to the licensing provisions which enables the satisfaction of pre-existing legal and commercial obligations. This supported a more tailored domestic approach by responding directly to the needs of UK businesses.

It is for businesses to ensure compliance with UK financial sanctions and manage their sanctions risk appropriately.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 6 July 2026 to Question 14422 and the Answer of 29 June 2026 to Question 12225, if she will provide the total spending in the category of Purchase of Goods, Services and Other Expenditure by the following bodies in the following years: i) Cabinet Office, 2023/4; ii) Central Funds, 2023/4; iii) FCDO, 2024/5; iv) HMRC, 2024/5; v) Navy, Army and Air Force Institute, 2023/4; vi) National Nuclear Laboratory, 2023/4; vii) National Physics Laboratory 2023; and viii) UK Hydrographic Office, 2024/5.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The relevant information in the case of the listed entities is not publicly available.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether (a) her Department and (b) Ofcom has made an assessment of the potential implications for its polices on foreign interference online of the potential use of the animated television series Masha and the Bear as a vehicle for Russian propaganda.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

Government takes the threat of foreign interference seriously and works across departments, intelligence partners and regulators to identify and respond to state-linked information threats. However, it is not this department’s function to routinely assess individual television series. We work closely with other departments, including the Home Office and FCDO, to respond to existing and emerging threats.

Ofcom is the independent communications regulator, and any assessment of compliance with relevant broadcasting requirements is a matter for Ofcom.

Industrial dispute of staff in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Found: Transport; Department for Work & Pensions; Department of Health & Social Care; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: 112904-250000-4-2026 250000 Home Office Home Office 15/04/2026 Outcome Based COO - Home Office Digital FCDO

Found: class="govuk-table__cell">COO - Home Office Digital

Found: (FCDO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Found: this report. 4 Unr eferenced figures throughout this report are derived from internal HO, NCA, NPCC, FCDO

Found: International Development (SID) is due to be published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: In particular this year, the Council invited the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: survey results; „ Succession planning; „ Treasury Bill consultation; and „ Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Economic Security team, Number 10 Downing Street, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Offce (FCDO

Found: Economic Security team, Number 10 Downing Street, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Offce (FCDO

Found: Under Operation VENTUS, we supported the UK’s FCDO-led response to the impact of Hurricane MELISSA

Found: and the Geopolitical Impact Unit in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: and the Geopolitical Impact Unit in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found:

Found: 12/11/2025 VIVALDI VIVALDI Social Care Care Home Visit Lucy Chappell 12/11/2025 India Department, FCDO

Found: ="govuk-table__cell">12/11/2025

Found: MRC Dinner & Hotel No Lucy Chappell 20/11/2025 Bangor University Dinner No Lucy Chappell 17/11/2025 FCDO

Found: for Project SGA-NHRI.EU-2023-02 – - 7,362 NI Business Human Rights Index Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Care Department of Health and Social Care 20/03/2026 Other Admin expenditure Chief Operating Officer FCDO

Found: and Net Zero (DESNZ) for climate developments and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: policy and the Passport Office; and • Expenditure by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: FCDO: Cross-Cutting SI [The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026] 84.

Found: owner occupiers’ housing costs CTP Counter-Terrorism Policing DDaT Digital, Data and Technology FCDO

Found: fraud summits provide an opportunity to build consensus and to invest , through Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: fraud summits provide an opportunity to build consensus and to invest , through Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Compensation of Employers) and Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations 1994 came into force 06/04/2026 FCDO

Found: The UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, PECR, EIDAS and EITSET 25 FCDO Pursue made negative regulations

Found: Government departments, including the MOD and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: Committed Yorkshire and Lincolnshire FBA UK LTD London E1 1BJ Education or Teaching Committed London FCDO

Found: relating to consular protection services provided by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) would lead the UK government response, supported

Found: Missions and International Organisations / Ceremonial Unit, Protocol Directorate, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Her earlier roles in the FCDO include postings as British Ambassador in Peru, Deputy Head of Mission

Found: producing, acquiring, transferring, stockpiling and using biological weapons Outcome 7 (DHSC/DEFRA/FCDO

Found: FCDO - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office f.

Found: FCDO - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office f.

Found: work but commissioned specific searches only from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street, Department for Business and Trade, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Research Integrity Concordat for financial year 2024-2025 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO

Found: unofficial police stations and the imposition of bounties on UK-based Hong Kong activists, and the FCDO

Found: Accessed: 22 July 2024 UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Overseas business risk

Found: owner occupiers’ housing costs CTP Counter-Terrorism Policing DDaT Digital, Data and Technology FCDO

Found: analytics and modelling; strong export potentialSupply chain disruption; geopolitical instabilityDefra; FCDO

Found: and wider energy security benefits, as explicitly discussed by the UK and The Netherlands in 2022 (FCDO

Found: Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes WDA(H) 53552 FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Found: programme, collaborating with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Territories were delivered in the Falklands and at a joint exercise held in Miami – backed by the FCDO

Found: Trade; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Intellectual Property Office; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: The material transactions have been with GPA and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO

Found: Maritime and Coastguard Agency DfT Vehicle Certification Agency DfT Name Department Wilton Park FCDO

Found: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to invest in the BBC World Service

Found: and the BBC World Service (which receives additional direct funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Sport, and the BBC World Service (which receives additional direct funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: With the support of the FCDO, DBT and the International team also led showcases and missions to countries

Found: Internationally, we work with partners to deliver Defra and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: I nternationally, we work with partners to deliver Defra and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: cell">TOKYO NEW BUILD REMODELLING AND REFURBISHMENT

Found: The revised baseline was agreed by both FCDO and HMT in late 2026, ensuring alignment with updated project

Found: 4251-a74c-98297b0fdeff/ Dianne Jeans DWP_0042_2122-Q3 TOKYO NEW BUILD, REMODELLING AND REFURBISHMENT FCDO

Found: Wilton Park is an executive agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Found: The FCDO accounts can be found on the FCDO’ s website: https:/ /www.gov.uk/government/ organisations

Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, March 2026

Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, March 2026

Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, March 2026

Found: Previous employment/roles The minister was previously a civil servant in the FCDO The minister

Found: charities to existing relevant advice from the Commission and the Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: with local authorities, diplomatic missions, international organisations and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street, Department for Business and Trade, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Found: £65,000.00 per annum for time commitment of 4 days per month, and a Lead Non-Executive Director for FCDO