Found: Baroness Chapman of Darlington Minister for International Development and Africa King Charles Street

Found: Director of Communications, ODI Global Q69–99 Tuesday 20 January 2026 The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Found: Director of Communications, ODI Global Q69–99 Tuesday 20 January 2026 The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Found: Baroness Chapman of Darlington Minister for International Development and Africa King Charles

Found: parliament.uk Social: @houseofcommons parliament.uk Tuesday, 17 March 2026 The Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Found: 1223/3285 Social: @houseofcommons parliament.uk Monday, 30 March 2026 Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Found: Baroness Chapman of Darlington Minister for International Development and Africa King Charles

Found: Restricted: For Committee use only Monday, 30 March 2026 The Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Found: Baroness Chapman of Darlington Minister of State for International Development and Africa King

Found: parliament.uk Social: @houseofcommons parliament.uk Friday, 13 February 2026 The Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 27 November 2025 (HL11898), when they expect to appoint the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict; what interim arrangements are in place pending that appointment; and how the functions of the role are currently being discharged.

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

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answers provided on 27 November 2025 to Questions HL11898 and on 9 March to Questions HL14650 and HL14651. We will provide further updates in this area in the usual way in due course, reflecting the Foreign Secretary's decision to make the protection of women and girls one of the core priorities of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's work over the coming years.

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 March (HL15165), whether the Ponsonby Rule applies to memorandums of understanding they sign with (1) foreign governments, (2) local, regional or state-level government tiers of foreign countries, and (3) supranational organisations; what their definition of a treaty is in this context; and what their policy is on disclosing to Parliament international agreements with foreign bodies that do not have the status of a treaty.

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

The Ponsonby Rule, which was put onto a statutory footing by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, did not apply to Memoranda of Understanding. The Government uses the definition of a treaty set out in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which is consistent with the definition used in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. Memoranda of Understanding and other non-legally binding instruments are treated like other expressions of Government policy. Where they raise questions of public importance, it may be necessary to bring them to the attention of Parliament. There will be occasions where the sensitivity of content or the wishes of other signatories (for example, on defence matters) means that such arrangements must be kept confidential.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 2 April (HL15868), why an assessment of the environmental impacts of the government of Israel's attacks on oil facilities in Iran is not available; and when this will be published.

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

The Noble Lord will appreciate that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not have unlimited resources, and FCDO officials therefore tend to focus their analytical work on the impact of the actions and policies for which the UK is responsible, not other countries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 2 April (HL15869), why an assessment of the amount of land in Syria under the control of the government of Israel is not available; and when this will be provided.

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

The Noble Lord will appreciate that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not have unlimited resources, and FCDO officials therefore tend to focus their analytical work on the impact of the actions and policies for which the UK is responsible, not other countries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 2 April (HL15871), why an assessment of the environmental implications of attacks on Kharg Island is not available; and when this will be published.

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

The Noble Lord will appreciate that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not have unlimited resources, and FCDO officials therefore tend to focus their analytical work on the impact of the actions and policies for which the UK is responsible, not other countries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 8 April 2026 (HL15872), how they ensure consistency in the approach they take to the application of the definition of right to defend under international law.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer he refers to in his question. Seeking and obtaining legal advice where necessary ensures that the Government adopts a consistent approach to international law, including in respect of issues relating to the use of force under international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 March (HL15457), what assessment they have made of recent reports of attacks against Christians during Easter; and what support they are providing to the government of Nigeria to improve security and protect religious minorities.

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

This remains an ongoing priority for the UK, and we continue to support the Nigerian authorities in tackling violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement on 27 November 2025 (HLWS1104).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 11 February (HL14050), whether Inter Mediate has undertaken any work for them in relation to (1) the Chagos Islands, or (2) Mauritius; and whether they have received any representations from Inter Mediate about those two places.

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

For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations through its mediation and conflict resolution programme. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised. This is in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington of 11 February 2026 (HL14050), whether Inter Mediate is undertaking any work in, or with, North Korea funded by the UK Government.

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

For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations through its mediation and conflict resolution programme. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised. This is in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 23 February (HLWS1349), how much Official Development Assistance will be allocated to (1) the Media Freedom Coalition, and (2) the Public Interest Media and Healthy Information Environments programme, in (a) 2026–27, (b) 2027–28, and (c) 2028–29.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the statements made by the Foreign Secretary and myself - UIN HLWS1431 - on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents setting out the detail of those allocations. Funding for specific organisations over the period in question will be confirmed in due course.