Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will introduce sanctions against senior members of Russia's GUGI agency.

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

On 17 June 2025, the UK sanctioned the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (GUGI). As per the UK's long-standing policy on sanctions, it would not be appropriate to speculate about any future sanctions action.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made on the impact of Ukraine's constrained exports on food-insecure countries; and what contingency plans are currently in place to ensure food-insecure countries are not affected.

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

Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine triggered a sharp reduction in global grain supply and a huge shock to global markets. The most recent UN flagship report on global hunger - the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World2025 - has confirmed once again that the war in Ukraine is a major driver of food price volatility and inflation, contributing to rising food insecurity worldwide.

The UK has provided significant support to ensure vital Ukrainian exports continue to reach countries that need them, including coordination with the UN and alignment with EU Solidarity Lanes to maintain export capacity and resilience. Since 2022, the UK has provided £11 million of support for the Grain from Ukraine initiative, and we welcome Ukraine's ambitions in expanding the programme to 'Food from Ukraine'.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of the Republic of Ireland regarding establishing an inquiry similar to the Operation Kenova inquiry in relation to cross-border collusion.

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

The Joint Framework agreed by the UK and Ireland contains clear commitments by the Irish Government on legacy, including to facilitate the fullest possible cooperation of the Irish authorities with a reformed Legacy Commission. This will assist many families whose cases involve cross-border activity where information may be held in Ireland.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to develop the network of Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth in 2026.

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

As set out by the Foreign Secretary in her speech on 24 November marking twenty-five years of the UN's Women Peace and Security agenda, the UK is committed to tackling gender inequality and violence against women and girls wherever it occurs around the world, and we will continue to place female empowerment at the heart of our international work.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to align the Africa Approach with multilateral development banks’ capitalisation cycles.

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

The Government's new Africa Approach was the subject of extensive consultation with African countries, multilateral institutions and others. The priorities set out in the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) reflect the feedback received during that consultation process, a summary of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate she has made of the UK (i) public and (ii) private finance commitments for renewable energy projects in Africa since launch of the Africa Approach.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out the Government's new Approach to Africa.

The statement recognised that despite its abundant natural resources, Africa has the lowest levels of modern energy access, and the UK is working with the World Bank and African Development Bank to address that issue. We will provide further updates on implementation of initiatives arising from that work.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the number of African countries with strategic economic development priorities that align with the UK’s Africa Approach.

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

The Government's new Africa Approach was the subject of extensive consultation with African countries, multilateral institutions and others. The priorities set out in the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) reflect the feedback received during that consultation process, a summary of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to co-ordinate the Africa Approach with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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

The Government's new Africa Approach was the subject of extensive consultation with African countries, multilateral institutions and others. The priorities set out in the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) reflect the feedback received during that consultation process, a summary of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation

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 monitor implementation of the Africa Approach across Government departments.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out the Government's new Approach to Africa.

The statement recognised that despite its abundant natural resources, Africa has the lowest levels of modern energy access, and the UK is working with the World Bank and African Development Bank to address that issue. We will provide further updates on implementation of initiatives arising from that work.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full-time equivalent staff in her Department have been employed for the purpose of making social media content in each of the last three years.

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

Due to the difficulty of disaggregating the number of staff who work on social media from staff who work on broader digital communications, it is not possible to provide the requested data in response to this question.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what publicity British embassies worldwide are undertaking to make clear the illegality of female genital mutilation in the UK.

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

The UK has a zero-tolerance approach for all forms of female genital mutilation (FGM) including medicalisation. There is no medical justification for FGM in any circumstances.

The Government's new strategy for tackling Violence against Women and Girls, published on 18 December, sets out the actions we are taking against so-called honour-based violence in the UK, including FGM. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will play its full part in the implementation of that strategy, including ensuring that our posts around the world are communicating its contents as appropriate through their work in each country.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian impact of (1) actual and (2) planned reductions in Official Development Assistance.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 8 December in response to Question HL12253.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November to Question 92039 on Embassies: Tolls, if she will publish the data on all outstanding debts; and what steps she is taking to recover outstanding congestion charge debts by embassies.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has published the relevant data on outstanding debts in the same level of detail as it was published under the previous government. In terms of the steps being taken to recover those debts, I refer the Hon Member to the opening paragraph of the written ministerial statement (UIN HCWS1076) laid in the House on 19 November.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 17 December (HL12793), whether they will now answer the question put: namely whether Lord Mandelson received any severance payment at the conclusion of his role as Ambassador to the United States.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer cited in his question.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, what changes, if any, are being considered to visa processes for African business travellers and researchers as part of the Global Partner Programme.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, how the Developing Countries Trading Scheme is being adapted to align with the Government’s new Africa strategy.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, which African nations did her department meet with representatives from during the "listening exercise".

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

I refer the Hon Member to the summary of consultation responses published on 2 June 2025, which can be found on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation-june-2025

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, what proportion of UK Official Development Assistance to Africa is expected to be delivered through investment vehicles rather than grant funding in each of the next three financial years.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, whether her department intends to renegotiate any of the existing trade agreements with African nations to better reflect the government's new approach.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, what specific support the UK is providing to African small and medium-sized enterprises to enable them to benefit from UK-Africa trade initiatives.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, which a) nations and b) sectors the British International Investment and UK Export Finance will prioritise under the new approach.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, whether she will provide a breakdown of the sectors covered by the 600 organisations consulted with.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the summary of consultation responses published on 2 June 2025, which can be found on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation-june-2025

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, what plans her department has to develop new trade agreements with African nations the UK does not have agreements with.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, which areas her department will prioritise when expanding trade opportunities.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 15 December (UIN HCWS1168) setting out our commitment to unlock investment and trade with our African partners. We will provide further updates in due course on specific priorities and initiatives arising from that commitment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's Africa Approach launch on 15 December 2025, what approach her department took to determine suitable organisations to consult with.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the summary of consultation responses published on 2 June 2025, which can be found on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation/the-uks-new-approach-to-africa-summary-of-consultation-june-2025

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, in addition to humanitarian assistance, to prevent atrocities in Sudan.

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

Further to my statement on Sudan on 19 November, and my remarks in the House of Lords debate on 27 November, the Government took direct action on 12 December to sanction senior commanders of the Rapid Support Forces suspected of involvement in the atrocities committed in El Fasher, Sudan, including mass killings, systematic sexual violence and deliberate attacks on civilians. This sends a clear message that those who commit and orchestrate these crimes will be held to account, and reflects our determination to prevent and deter further atrocities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address gender apartheid and gender persecution in Afghanistan; what steps they are taking to support Afghan women and girls in the country; and what assessment they have made of how this assistance is affected by any cuts to UK overseas development assistance.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 21 October in response to Question 81211, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

The Government condemns the Taliban's appalling repression of Afghan women and girls. Officials regularly engage with the Taliban on UK Government priorities, including human rights. The Government is working with international partners to maintain collective pressure on the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions.

The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries as a matter of principle, and in all circumstances, including through UN and Human Rights Council resolutions.

In October, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls and the UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan met Afghan women leaders. Upholding the human rights of all Afghans is not only a moral imperative, but essential for building a stable, inclusive, and prosperous country.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the (1) government of China, and (2) authorities in Hong Kong, regarding the admission of evidence obtained through the reported torture of Andy Li and cited during the trial of Jimmy Lai.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement given to the House on 17 December 2025 on the conviction of Jimmy Lai, and to the responses in the subsequent debate, where such issues were addressed.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the conviction of Jimmy Lai represents a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement given to the House on 17 December 2025 on the conviction of Jimmy Lai, and to the responses in the subsequent debate, where such issues were addressed.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration the Prime Minister has given to delaying his official visit to China in January until Jimmy Lai has been released from prison.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the statement given to the House on 17 December 2025 on the conviction of Jimmy Lai, and to the responses in the subsequent debate, where such issues were addressed.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which (a) Minister and (b) official demarched the Chinese Ambassador following the verdict on Jimmy Lai.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As the Foreign Secretary confirmed in Parliament in her Oral Statement on 15 December 2025, the Chinese Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.  A senior official condemned the politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai that has resulted in this guilty verdict and urged that Lai be released immediately.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 17 December (HL12825), whether they have undertaken a study of the merits of the UK joining the European Development Bank; if so (1) when this was, and (2) whether a report of the study was laid before Parliament; and if not, why not.

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

No such study has been commissioned under the current Government, and it would not be appropriate for me to ask officials what advice, if any, was provided under the previous administration.

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 help bring about a ceasefire in Sudan.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement on Sudan made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025, where these issues were addressed at length.

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 help ensure (a) unrestricted humanitarian access across the country and (b) the protection of humanitarian and aid workers in Sudan.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement on Sudan made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025, where these issues were addressed at length.

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 ensure that evidence gathered by the UN-mandated inquiry into alleged atrocities in Sudan can support future accountability mechanisms, including international courts.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025, setting out the steps the UK is taking to ensure accountability for atrocities committed in Sudan. Achieving peace, humanitarian relief and accountability in Sudan are key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and our work on those issues is resourced accordingly.

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 adequacy of the resources currently allocated by her Department to Sudan-related (a) diplomatic and (b) atrocity-prevention work.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025, setting out the steps the UK is taking to ensure accountability for atrocities committed in Sudan. Achieving peace, humanitarian relief and accountability in Sudan are key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and our work on those issues is resourced accordingly.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of ratifying the Ljubljana-Hague convention; and what steps they are taking to ensure that they can cooperate with other states on mutual legal assistance in relation to investigating and prosecuting international crimes.

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

The UK is firmly committed to the rule of law and ending impunity for the most serious international crimes. It is of fundamental importance that issues of domestic and international accountability continue to be discussed seriously and collaboratively by the international community.

The UK already has well-established legal frameworks to facilitate international co-operation on the investigation and prosecution of international crimes and we are committed to continuing to work with international partners to this end. The UK was an active participant at the Ljubljana-Hague Convention negotiations in 2023, where we made it clear that we needed further time to review the Convention text, including to consider how ratification might impact on the UK's cooperation in this area. To date, only one country has ratified the Convention.

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 Cabinet colleagues, Football authorities and the Football Association on the potential visa requirements of the US government to provide information about their social media activity in the last 5 years for people travelling to watch the world cup.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is working across Government and with sporting bodies to support UK fans travelling to matches for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The FCDO is in contact with US authorities to ensure we have the latest information on immigration rules, and we encourage those travelling to the US to consult our USA (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements) and World Cup (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/world-cup-2026) travel advice pages before making travel arrangements.

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 November 2025 to Question 85800, if she will publish a formal response to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the previous answer cited in his question.

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 policies of reports of Russia sending Ukrainian children to camps in North Korea; and if she will have discussions with her NATO counterparts on demanding the return of those children back to Ukraine.

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

These reports are highly alarming and would represent a further concerning aspect of the deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea. As the Foreign Secretary said to the House on 15 October, the kidnapping and forcible deportation of almost 20,000 Ukrainian children by Russia is one of the most disturbing aspects of this war, and we will continue to do all we can to support the return of those children, as well as monitoring the latest reports on their whereabouts and treatment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Myanmar military's reported airstrike on a hospital in Mrauk-U, Rakhine State, on the night of 10 December, killing a reported 34 people; and what steps they have taken in response.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 12 November in response to Question HL11464, and I would add that the Minister for the Indo-Pacific commented on this airstrike on 11 December, urging an end to attacks on civilians, and that the UK remains determined to ensure that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law in Myanmar will be held to account.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken to help return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 October 2025 in response to Question 80930, and I would add that - on 3 December - the UK co-sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution for the 'Return of Ukrainian Children'.

I also refer the Hon Member to the answers provided by the Foreign Secretary during departmental questions on 2 December.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Hungarian counterparts on the potential prosecution of Pecs Pride organiser Géza Buzás-Hábel.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 24 July 2025 to question 68978. I can assure him that we raise issues concerning LGBT+ rights and human rights regularly at ministerial and official level with our Hungarian counterparts, and I have done so directly. Our Embassy in Budapest also works to support human rights, including LGBT+ rights in Hungary through engagement with civil society organisations locally.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she had with her French counterpart on nuclear support to NATO.

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

The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to her French counterpart, including on matters relating to NATO defence. The NATO Strategic Concept states that the independent strategic nuclear forces of the United Kingdom and France have a deterrent role of their own and contribute significantly to the overall security of the Alliance. The UK and French separate centres of decision-making contribute to deterrence by complicating the calculations of potential adversaries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Hungarian counterparts on LGBTQ+ human rights.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 24 July 2025 to question 68978. I can assure him that we raise issues concerning LGBT+ rights and human rights regularly at ministerial and official level with our Hungarian counterparts, and I have done so directly. Our Embassy in Budapest also works to support human rights, including LGBT+ rights in Hungary through engagement with civil society organisations locally.

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 representatives of the Palestinian Authority on reports that the Palestinian school curriculum includes incitement and antisemitism.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 18 November to Question 88033, and on 16 December to Question 98592. In addition, it should be noted that the UK does not fund any educational material issued by the Palestinian Authority. We provide support to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which is accompanied with stringent attention to implementation of their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to textbooks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Pakistan.

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

The Minister of State for International Development discussed the humanitarian situation in Pakistan during her visit to the country in early December. In a press release following her trip, she said: "Pakistan is also a country suffering the devastating consequences of climate change, with extreme flooding putting lives at risk, stifling economic growth, and damaging key infrastructure. British expertise will help Pakistan strengthen its adaptation to climate change, its resilience to extreme weather events, and the speed of its response and recovery when crises occur."

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has held direct discussions with representatives from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

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

The Foreign Secretary is in regular contact with her Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. She has not held direct discussions with Major General Alian or any of his staff.

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 findings of the November 2025 IMPACT-se review of the 2025-26 Palestinian Authority school curriculum on incitement and antisemitism.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 18 November to Question 88033, and on 16 December to Question 98592. In addition, it should be noted that the UK does not fund any educational material issued by the Palestinian Authority. We provide support to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which is accompanied with stringent attention to implementation of their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to textbooks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there are any conditions applied to funding support for education in the Palestinian Authority.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 18 November to Question 88033, and on 16 December to Question 98592. In addition, it should be noted that the UK does not fund any educational material issued by the Palestinian Authority. We provide support to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which is accompanied with stringent attention to implementation of their neutrality policy, including how they apply this to textbooks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how her Department has responded to aid requests from representatives of Palestine; and how much direct aid the UK Government has provided to Palestine since October 2023.

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

Data on Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend for the requested period is published in the Statistics on International Development on GOV.UK, including breakdowns by country and region. Further information and annual reviews on specific programmes can be found on GOV.UK's Development Tracker.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the political situation in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

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

The UK shares a close, historic relationship with St Vincent and the Grenadines, and we look forward to that relationship continuing under Prime Minister Friday's newly-elected Government.

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 implement the recommendations of the People's Tribunal of Women of Afghanistan's judgement of 11 December 2025.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 October in response to Question 81211.

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 effectiveness and adequacy of British support for the clean up in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement on the Government response to Hurricane Melissa published on 11 December 2025 (HCWS1159).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has made representations to the Government of Bahrain on the detention and health of Hassan Mushaima and Abduljalil al-Singace.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 15 July in response to Question HL8922, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

The UK regularly engages with the Government of Bahrain and, where appropriate, the independent oversight bodies on a range of human rights and governance matters - those with broader societal impact and individual cases. This has included the cases of Abduljalil al-Singace and Hasan Mushaima. The UK remains committed to supporting reforms in Bahrain.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of allegations that prisoners in Bahrain have been subject to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 15 July in response to Question HL8922, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

The UK regularly engages with the Government of Bahrain and, where appropriate, the independent oversight bodies on a range of human rights and governance matters - those with broader societal impact and individual cases. This has included the cases of Abduljalil al-Singace and Hasan Mushaima. The UK remains committed to supporting reforms in Bahrain.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of trucks of aid entering Gaza since the establishment of the Civil Military Coordination Center from (a) the UN and (b) other sources.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Ministry of Defence are in regular contact with UK staff in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre to ensure that UK expertise can support the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. The specific data the Rt Hon Member has requested on aid trucks is not centrally held by the FCDO.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has held direct discussions with (a) General Frank, (b) British representatives and (c) representatives from other countries at the Civil Military Coordination Center.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Ministry of Defence are in regular contact with UK staff in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre to ensure that UK expertise can support the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. The specific data the Rt Hon Member has requested on aid trucks is not centrally held by the FCDO.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to advocate for Jagtar Singh Johal’s release since 4 March 2025.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 December in response to Question 97066.

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 March 2025 to Question 36087 on Palestinians: Fire and Rescue Services, what progress she has made on discussions with Israeli counterparts regarding the fire engine donated to Palestinian firefighters in Nablus that has been held by the port authorities in Ashdod since 21 July 2024.

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

We have consistently raised this case with the Israeli authorities, but despite those efforts, the fire engine donated to Palestinian firefighters is still being held by the port authorities. It remains frustrating and disappointing that the donation may have to be returned to the UK, rather than helping to deliver lifesaving services for the people of Nablus. The UK's Consul General to Jerusalem visited the Nablus Municipal Fire Department on 9 December to convey our continued backing for their vital work.

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 with international partners to help ensure that all aid crossings into Gaza are fully operational.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December to Question 91356.

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 Israeli counterparts to support the unrestricted operation of international NGOs in Gaza.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December to Question 91356.

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 impact of the Israeli government’s decision to suspend 37 aid groups on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to update the Overseas Territories White Paper.

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

The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how the relationship should develop in response to more recent global developments. To strengthen that collaboration, the Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November 2025 agreed to develop the option for OTs to agree new Partnership Compacts with the UK, providing tailored, practical frameworks for advancing shared priorities.

Since July 2024, the UK has provided over £20 million in security support to Caribbean OTs, including armed police and investigators to reinforce local forces, new patrol vessels, coastal radar systems, and police drones. We also work closely with independent Caribbean states and deploy UK agencies, including the National Crime Agency, to help counter serious and organised crime.

The Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November welcomed the participation of the Overseas Territories at COP30 and other international fora, and reaffirmed the shared ambition to protect Overseas Territories' ecosystems and address climate and nature crises. The FCDO has provided support through its Climate Security, Civil Resilience and Blue Belt programmes to help OTs adapt and build their climate change resilience, strengthen their disaster management capabilities, and protect and enhance ocean health.

Acts of Parliament are normally not extended to the Overseas Territories except with the agreement of their locally-elected governments. It is established practice to consult the Overseas Territories when the UK Government is considering new legislation or policies of relevance to them.

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 policies of the allegations relating to the (a treatment and (b) location of Y Qunyh Bdap from Vietnam; and what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Vietnam on his (i) location, (iI) wellbeing and (iii) access to legal counsel and independent monitoring.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 November in response to Question 83589. The UK raised the case of Y Quynh Bdap in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025. On 19 December, the UK Human Rights Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Eleanor Sanders, also raised the UK's position on this case with Thailand's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Usana Berananda.

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 merits of allowing British Overseas Territories to introduce a legislative consent process for Westminster legislation that applies to Overseas Territories.

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

The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how the relationship should develop in response to more recent global developments. To strengthen that collaboration, the Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November 2025 agreed to develop the option for OTs to agree new Partnership Compacts with the UK, providing tailored, practical frameworks for advancing shared priorities.

Since July 2024, the UK has provided over £20 million in security support to Caribbean OTs, including armed police and investigators to reinforce local forces, new patrol vessels, coastal radar systems, and police drones. We also work closely with independent Caribbean states and deploy UK agencies, including the National Crime Agency, to help counter serious and organised crime.

The Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November welcomed the participation of the Overseas Territories at COP30 and other international fora, and reaffirmed the shared ambition to protect Overseas Territories' ecosystems and address climate and nature crises. The FCDO has provided support through its Climate Security, Civil Resilience and Blue Belt programmes to help OTs adapt and build their climate change resilience, strengthen their disaster management capabilities, and protect and enhance ocean health.

Acts of Parliament are normally not extended to the Overseas Territories except with the agreement of their locally-elected governments. It is established practice to consult the Overseas Territories when the UK Government is considering new legislation or policies of relevance to them.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support she has provided to Caribbean Overseas Territories to help tackle climate change and prepare for extreme weather events, such as hurricanes.

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

The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how the relationship should develop in response to more recent global developments. To strengthen that collaboration, the Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November 2025 agreed to develop the option for OTs to agree new Partnership Compacts with the UK, providing tailored, practical frameworks for advancing shared priorities.

Since July 2024, the UK has provided over £20 million in security support to Caribbean OTs, including armed police and investigators to reinforce local forces, new patrol vessels, coastal radar systems, and police drones. We also work closely with independent Caribbean states and deploy UK agencies, including the National Crime Agency, to help counter serious and organised crime.

The Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November welcomed the participation of the Overseas Territories at COP30 and other international fora, and reaffirmed the shared ambition to protect Overseas Territories' ecosystems and address climate and nature crises. The FCDO has provided support through its Climate Security, Civil Resilience and Blue Belt programmes to help OTs adapt and build their climate change resilience, strengthen their disaster management capabilities, and protect and enhance ocean health.

Acts of Parliament are normally not extended to the Overseas Territories except with the agreement of their locally-elected governments. It is established practice to consult the Overseas Territories when the UK Government is considering new legislation or policies of relevance to them.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support her Department is providing to Caribbean Overseas Territories to help (a) increase security and (b) reduce organised crime in the region.

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

The 2012 White Paper remains the foundation of the UK's modern partnership-based relationship with the Overseas Territories (OTs), but the OTs continue to work alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to identify proposals on how the relationship should develop in response to more recent global developments. To strengthen that collaboration, the Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November 2025 agreed to develop the option for OTs to agree new Partnership Compacts with the UK, providing tailored, practical frameworks for advancing shared priorities.

Since July 2024, the UK has provided over £20 million in security support to Caribbean OTs, including armed police and investigators to reinforce local forces, new patrol vessels, coastal radar systems, and police drones. We also work closely with independent Caribbean states and deploy UK agencies, including the National Crime Agency, to help counter serious and organised crime.

The Joint Ministerial Council on 24-27 November welcomed the participation of the Overseas Territories at COP30 and other international fora, and reaffirmed the shared ambition to protect Overseas Territories' ecosystems and address climate and nature crises. The FCDO has provided support through its Climate Security, Civil Resilience and Blue Belt programmes to help OTs adapt and build their climate change resilience, strengthen their disaster management capabilities, and protect and enhance ocean health.

Acts of Parliament are normally not extended to the Overseas Territories except with the agreement of their locally-elected governments. It is established practice to consult the Overseas Territories when the UK Government is considering new legislation or policies of relevance to them.

Publish a list of countries blocking citizen returns, suspend UK aid until compliance is met, make aid legally conditional on cooperation with UK immigration, report annually to Parliament, and detain illegal migrants until asylum or deportation for public safety.

We urge the government to fund dedicated support for orphans in conflict zones, recognizing their extreme vulnerability and lack of access to basic necessities.

We want the government to push the UN and other nations towards nuclear treaties to get closer to a nuke-free world.

Found: been funded through a mix of grant funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO

Found: In countries where these are not established, we will try and facilitate contact by utilising the FCDO

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has made to his Malaysian counterpart on the forced disappearance of religious activists; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Malaysia’s High Court’s ruling of November 2025 on the sharing of expertise and training between UK and Malaysian police forces.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Secretary has not engaged with Malaysian counterparts since July 2024.

Any police assistance provided to international partners is governed by the FCDO Overseas Security and Justice Assessment (OSJA) process. The OSJA process is an essential tool to ensure that the UK's overseas security and justice assistance meets our human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) obligations, increases respect for the rule of law, and supports UK values.

All requests for England and Wales police officers or staff to deploy overseas to deliver training or capacity building activity (such as the sharing of expertise) is considered by the Home Office under S26 of the Police Act 1996 on a case-by-case basis, in line with the associated OSJA of the proposed activity.

Any assistance provided to Malaysia will have been assessed using OSJA, as well as other risk assessment processes.

Found: Britain and Northern Ireland, that has a Memorandum of Understanding currently in place with the FCDO

Found: Acceleration (GCA) initiative for Africa and has led several venture-focused programmes, including the FCDO

Found: Britain and Northern Ireland, that has a Memorandum of Understanding currently in place with the FCDO

Found: Health and Social Care 07/10/2025 Revenue Policy Payments Global & Public Health FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Found: FCDO Services: workforce management information on disability 2025 to 2026 quarter 3

Found: FCDO Services: workforce management information on ethnicity 2025 to 2026 quarter 3

Found: FCDO Services: workforce management information on gender 2025 to 2026 quarter 3

Found: FCDO Services prompt payment data October to December 2025

Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, October 2025

Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, October 2025

Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, October 2025

Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, November 2025

Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, November 2025

Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, November 2025

Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, October 2025

Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, October 2025

Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, October 2025

Found: designate Presenters Item 7 Head of Digital & Technology Trade Remedies Authority Capgemini FCDO