Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the RAF has deployed Shadow R1 surveillance flights to Gaza since 15 January 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Since the terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals.
In support of this, the Royal Air Force has been conducting unarmed surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including in airspace over Israel and Gaza. For the avoidance of doubt, our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of hostages only.
I cannot comment further on detailed intelligence matters for reasons of operational security.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Prime Minister's specific duties are in his role as the Minister for the Union.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
As Minister for the Union, the Prime Minister works to ensure that all of government is acting on behalf of the entire United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much direct bilateral financial aid to Rwanda has been paused; and whether this funding will be reallocated for urgent humanitarian assistance in Eastern DRC.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, meaningful engagement with African-led peace processes, and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory.
Until significant progress is made towards this, we have made the decision to pause direct bilateral financial aid to the Government of Rwanda, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable. In this financial year (2024/25), we have paused £3 million in direct bilateral financial aid. Future financial years' budgets are yet to be confirmed and subject to the outcome of the current Spending Review.
The humanitarian situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is critical. We remain committed to supporting those most in need and are providing over £80 million in lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the DRC this year.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Bangladeshi counterpart on the attack on the 98th Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Panchagarh district.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Our support in Bangladesh aims to ensure that the rights of religious minorities, including the Ahmadiyya community, are respected, and that these communities are protected from discrimination. At the time of the attack, the previous UK Government raised the importance of FoRB with the former Bangladesh Government. In November 2024, I visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus. The UK will continue to support FoRB through regular dialogue with the Interim Government of Bangladesh and through our development programme funding.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the British Palestinian Committee entitled British Military Collaboration with Israel, published on 28 January 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We will consider the report and continue to act in line with our obligations to International Law.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan last visited the Middle East.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I have conducted several visits to the region since my appointment in July 2024, most recently a visit to Ankara on 2-4 March for a UK-Turkey ministerial dialogue focused on the current situation in Syria.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
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 the UK joining the Hague Group.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has no current plans to join the Hague Group. The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Prime Minister has had with his Israeli counterpart on adhering to international law in the Occupied West Bank.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This Government is clear that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) must be upheld, and civilians protected, and the Government continues to press Israeli counterparts on issues of international law compliance. Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether UK surveillance drones have been flown from Jordan over (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank in Occupied Palestine.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are unable to comment on the detail of intelligence matters, for operational security reasons.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterparts on the right to return by Palestinians who have left Gaza since 7 October 2023.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza strip. Palestinian civilians, including those evacuated from northern Gaza, must be permitted to return to their communities and rebuild. Our position is clear - we want to see a negotiated two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people, with a sovereign Palestinian state, which includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel.