Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent diplomatic discussions they have had with the government of Tunisia about the arrest of Mustapha Djemali and Abderrazek Krimi, and what steps they are taking to ensure their release.

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

Our Embassy in Tunis has closely followed the case of Mustapha Djemali and Abderrazek Krimi since their arrest in May 2024. We have raised the case with Tunisian authorities, including at senior levels, and participated in trial observation alongside other Diplomatic missions. Both individuals were released on suspended sentences on 24 November given time served, after being found guilty of assisting migrants to enter and remain in Tunisia. We continue to engage with Tunisia and international partners on the protection of civil society and human rights.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Uzbekistan about the imprisonment of Alisher Tursunov, and what diplomatic steps they are taking to secure his release.

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

The UK is committed to standing up for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) globally. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. Our Embassy in Tashkent regularly raises human rights with the Uzbek authorities and maintains a dialogue with local human rights groups. In Uzbekistan's most recent UN Universal Periodic Review, the UK raised concerns over FoRB amongst other human rights issues and continues to consider when is most impactful and appropriate to raise individual cases.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on Monday 1 December (HC Deb col 666), what discussions the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury has had with special advisers about leaks or premature media reporting relating to the Budget 2025.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

As the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said to the House of Commons on the 1 and 3 December, the Treasury puts the utmost weight on Budget security.

The Permanent Secretary engages with special advisers and Ministers throughout the Budget process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to paragraph 3 of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, published in September 2024, whether the Prime Minister's chief of staff has been authorised by the Prime Minister to represent the views of the Prime Minister to the media.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

All special advisers are bound by the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers sets out special adviser's obligations with regards to the media.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the government of China or its planning agents have submitted the full unredacted internal drawings for the proposed Chinese embassy.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Planning Inspector's Report was received by the Department on 10 June.

Following careful analysis of the report, the Secretary of State referred back to parties on a number of matters, including the redacted drawings, on 6 August. The reference back process is on-going.

Full reasons for the decision and a list of post-inquiry representations will be set out in the final decision letter.