Asked by: Richard Tice (Reform UK - Boston and Skegness)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) diplomatic and (b) operational steps his Department has taken to help secure the release of (i) Emily Damari and (ii) other hostages held by Hamas in the last three months; how many (A) instances of direct engagement and (B) negotiations involving UK officials have taken place in this period; and what measurable outcomes he can provide to demonstrate progress in this area.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have consistently supported hostage talks, and continue to work alongside our allies and partners in the region, exercising every possible diplomatic lever to see the hostages immediately and unconditionally released. Negotiations remain the best chance to get hostages home to their loved ones, and we call on all parties to return to the negotiating table. It is utterly appalling that hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on 7 October are still being held captive, including one British national, Emily Damari, and three other hostages with strong British links. In support of the ongoing hostage rescue activity, the UK Ministry of Defence conducts surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in airspace over Israel and Gaza. Surveillance aircraft are unarmed, do not have a combat role and are tasked solely to locate hostages.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote (a) internet freedom and (b) access to information to advocate freedom of religion internationally.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to media freedom, and advocating freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). The UK is a member of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), a partnership of 41 governments, co-ordinating diplomatic efforts and engaging with civil society and private sectors to support Internet freedom. We co-chaired the FOC's Task Force on Internet Shutdowns for the past two years. We also co-hosted the International Day for Universal Access to Information with UNESCO, in 2023. Internet freedom and access to information are important enablers of democracy and human rights, including the right to FoRB. We continue to promote FoRB internationally, by coordinating with partners at fora such as the UN, and bilaterally through our diplomatic network.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what events to mark St Andrew's day are taking place in UK embassies.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
UK missions facilitate St Andrews's Day celebrations in a range of innovative ways, tailoring their support to both host-nation and Scottish diaspora interests. 2024 examples include: the Paris Embassy hosting a Reception, attended by the Deputy First Minister of Scotland; the Ottawa High Commission jointly hosting a reception with Scottish Government colleagues; and in Kyiv, activities highlighting Ukraine-Scotland connections - including their sharing St Andrew as the national patron saint. In Singapore, FCDO officials will support the Secretary of State for Scotland's attendance as guest of honour at an event attended by 450 guests from the business and Scottish diaspora community.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool Walton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department has spent on consultancy fees in each year since 2021.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Per the annual report and accounts published figures, the FCDO has spent the following amounts on consultancy fees since 2021:
The Government is committed to restoring the public finances and delivering value for the taxpayer. As part of this wider mission, the Government has pledged to reduce wasteful spend on non-essential and expensive consultants in order to save over £1.2 billion by 2026.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the forthcoming treaty between the UK and Mauritius on the Chagos Archipelago will include (1) a guaranteed right-of-return to the outer islands for all Chagossians worldwide, and (2) adequate compensation and reparations; and whether any compensation scheme would be established in consultation with Chagossians, and be overseen by an independent body.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Under the terms of the agreement between the UK and Mauritius, Mauritius will be free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands, other than Diego Garcia. The terms of resettlement will be for Mauritius to determine. We will also work with Mauritius to start a new programme of visits for Chagossians to the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. The UK provided compensation to the Chagossian community in the 1980s that courts have ruled was paid in full and final settlement. As part of the agreement between the UK and Mauritius, we will finance a new trust fund for Mauritius to support Chagossians. We will also increase our support to Chagossians living in the UK and around the world, through new and existing projects.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Human Rights Watch report That’s When the Nightmare Started: UK and US Forced Displacement of the Chagossians and Ongoing Colonial Crimes, published in February 2023, what assessment they have made of the lawfulness and implications of preventing Chagossians from returning to the island of Diego Garcia.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Under the terms of the agreement, Mauritius will be free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands other than Diego Garcia. The terms of resettlement will be for Mauritius to determine. We will also work with Mauritius to restart visits to the islands, including Diego Garcia, for Chagossians.
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of an extension of a ceasefire between the Colombian government and the Estado Mayor Central group.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports Colombian efforts to achieve a sustainable and long-lasting peace, including through implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement and support from the UN Verification Mission. We welcome the renewal of the UN's mandate, which included willingness to consider future monitoring and verification of the ceasefire with Estado Mayor Central. Through our role as penholder at the UN Security Council the UK works with the Government, civil society, and international partners to support peace in Colombia. We regularly discuss the peace process with the Colombian Government at the highest levels. The PM met President Petro in the margins of the G20 and Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Murillo at COP29 and reiterated the UK's support for peace. Baroness Chapman also reiterated the UK's support for peace in Colombia during her visit to Bogota in November, including during her discussion with Vice Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Indo-Pacific) discussed the forthcoming sentencing of the 45 pro-democracy activists under the National Security Law with Hong Kong’s Convenor of the Executive Council during their recent meeting.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Minister West met with Regina Ip on 31 October in an official capacity. Human rights were raised as part of the discussion.
The UK will continue to speak often and candidly with Hong Kong authorities across both areas of contention as well as areas for cooperation. Engagement with representatives of Hong Kong and China is pragmatic and necessary to support UK interests.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of targeted sanctions against violators of freedom of religion or belief in Iran.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all in Iran, and beyond. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We condemn Iran's restrictions against FoRB and we are committed to holding Iran to account for its attacks against religious minorities, including at the UN Third Committee.
We maintain sanctions on senior Iranian decision makers responsible for human rights violations and will continue to respond to Iran's repression of fundamental rights, including through the potential use of further sanctions.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu, (b) Yoav Gallant and (c) Mohammed Deif.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire, to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. This is essential to protect civilians, ensure the release of hostages and to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.