Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has been made of the risks associated with the unlawful importation of prohibited weapons using diplomatic privileges, including but not limited to diplomatic consignments protected under the Vienna Convention.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The Government recognises that, under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), diplomatic bags and certain diplomatic consignments are afforded specific immunities. The UK complies with its international obligations under the VCDR, and there are long-established rules concerning the use of diplomatic consignments which we expect all states to adhere to. Relevant authorities continually assess and manage the risks of misuse of diplomatic privileges, including for the unlawful importation of prohibited weapons.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the incident involving the alleged use of prohibited weapons that took place at the Chinese Embassy in London on 3 July 2026.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that their investigation continues as officers review evidence, including video footage supplied by witnesses. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any authority under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 has been granted to personnel of the Chinese Embassy in London.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that their investigation continues as officers review evidence, including video footage supplied by witnesses. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the Chinese Ambassador to the UK since 3 July 2026.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary has not met the Ambassador. On the 23rd of July, the Foreign Secretary met the Chinese Foreign Minister in Malaysia where they discussed the current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and extending collaboration on security, the economy and climate.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of police powers in responding to suspected offences committed by diplomatic mission staff where evidence is withdrawn into inviolable diplomatic premises.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government recognises that, under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), the premises of a diplomatic mission are inviolable. The UK complies with its international obligations under the VCDR. Where appropriate, law enforcement authorities may seek a waiver of inviolability from the sending State through established diplomatic channels.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the strategic importance of a future UK-Canada trade agreement; and whether he has set a timetable for determining the next phase of UK-Canada trade relations.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Canada is one of the UK’s closest partners and a trusted ally, with whom we share deep ties, common values and a commitment to open, rules-based trade. The Government remains committed to strengthening our trade and investment relationship with Canada and continues to engage closely on shared economic priorities.

The UK wants to continue to grow bilateral trade, and we are working with the Canadians through a range of fora including the bilateral Economic and Trade Working Group. Within this, our priority is to update the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin chapter with more modern rules reflecting today’s supply chains. We aim to conclude this over the coming months.

The Secretary of State keeps his travel plans under regular review and the Ministerial team at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade work closely with their Canadian counterparts.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he plans to seek an interim arrangement with Canada to address tariff quota-related trade disruptions before the conclusion of a comprehensive trade agreement.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Canada is one of the UK’s closest partners and a trusted ally, with whom we share deep ties, common values and a commitment to open, rules-based trade. The Government remains committed to strengthening our trade and investment relationship with Canada and continues to engage closely on shared economic priorities.

The UK wants to continue to grow bilateral trade, and we are working with the Canadians through a range of fora including the bilateral Economic and Trade Working Group. Within this, our priority is to update the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin chapter with more modern rules reflecting today’s supply chains. We aim to conclude this over the coming months.

The Secretary of State keeps his travel plans under regular review and the Ministerial team at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade work closely with their Canadian counterparts.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he is seeking the reinstatement of tariff rate quotas in any future UK-Canada trade agreement.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Canada is one of the UK’s closest partners and a trusted ally, with whom we share deep ties, common values and a commitment to open, rules-based trade. The Government remains committed to strengthening our trade and investment relationship with Canada and continues to engage closely on shared economic priorities.

The UK wants to continue to grow bilateral trade, and we are working with the Canadians through a range of fora including the bilateral Economic and Trade Working Group. Within this, our priority is to update the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin chapter with more modern rules reflecting today’s supply chains. We aim to conclude this over the coming months.

The Secretary of State keeps his travel plans under regular review and the Ministerial team at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade work closely with their Canadian counterparts.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he plans to visit Canada in the next six months.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Canada is one of the UK’s closest partners and a trusted ally, with whom we share deep ties, common values and a commitment to open, rules-based trade. The Government remains committed to strengthening our trade and investment relationship with Canada and continues to engage closely on shared economic priorities.

The UK wants to continue to grow bilateral trade, and we are working with the Canadians through a range of fora including the bilateral Economic and Trade Working Group. Within this, our priority is to update the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin chapter with more modern rules reflecting today’s supply chains. We aim to conclude this over the coming months.

The Secretary of State keeps his travel plans under regular review and the Ministerial team at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade work closely with their Canadian counterparts.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the (a) South African and (b) the Zimbabwean authorities regarding the death of Kudzai Weston Saruwaka on 7 February 2026.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has not made specific representations to the South African or Zimbabwean authorities regarding the death of Kudzai Weston Saruwaka. We are not able to intervene in the judicial or law enforcement processes of another country but we are monitoring the case.

Arrests of Friends of Standing Together and British nationals in the West Bank

The Enchanted Forest's 25th anniversary

150th anniversary of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876

Air Ambulance Week 2026

Publication of the Joint Committee on Human Rights Report on Human Rights and the Regulation of AI

19th International Day of Democracy

Scotmid Co-operative Support for DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal

90th anniversary of the Jarrow Crusade

Political donations and campaign finance regulation

Imprisoned Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant workers

Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescue operations

Review of Personal Independence Payment

Road fuel prices

National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers

Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan