Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made on re-opening the British embassy in Damascus.

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

We are actively engaging with the new interim authorities in Syria, including via visits to Damascus, to press for progress towards an inclusive political process, which leads to a stable Syria. We are keeping the re-establishment of a permanent presence in Damascus under review.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made on dismantling sanctions in support of the new regime in Syria.

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

As the Foreign Secretary stated in Parliament on 14 January, we are currently reviewing our Syria sanctions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support he is providing to medical facilities in Syria.

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

Since the fall of Assad, the UK has announced a further £61 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable Syrians inside and across the region. This will support the delivery of essential services, including healthcare activities.

Overall in 2024, the UK provided over £30 million to support healthcare activities in Syria through UNICEF, UNFPA, Humanitarian Pooled Funds and a dedicated UK-funded health partner. UK funding has helped over 2.3 million people access primary healthcare, supported improvements to medical facilities, and provided a range of specialist mental health and Gender-based violence (GBV) support to the most vulnerable people across Syria. The UK has directly supported 79 health facilities, including 17 hospitals, 21 primary healthcare centres, 16 mental health, protection and specialised services centres, and 25 mobile medical units that can travel to remote areas to provide essential healthcare.

Found: March 2024 Jo Crellin Kate Joseph From 4 March 2024 Ceri Smith Amanda Brooks C B E Tim Reid Andrew Mitchell

Found: Woodward 18/25 Niall Mackenzie (from 13 November 2023) 9/9 Anthony Green (to 19 January 2024) 18/19 Andrew Mitchell

Found:  8 March 2024 Jo Crellin Kate Joseph From 4 March 2024 Ceri Smith Amanda Brooks CBE Tim Reid Andrew Mitchell

Found: Minister Date Name of Individual or Organisation Purpose of Meeting Andrew Mitchell Nil return Nil

Found: Given or Received Who gift was given to or received from Value (£) Outcome (Received gifts only) Andrew Mitchell

Found: . (£) Total Cost (£) Andrew Mitchell Nil return Nil return Nil return Nil return Nil return

Found: offered hospitality Type of Hospitality Received Accompanied by Guest Value of Hospitality (£) Andrew Mitchell