Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the dominant nationality principle was applied in the case of Alaa Abdel Fattah.

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

The principle to which the Hon Member refers was not relevant to the provision of consular support in this case and was not therefore applied.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on levels of investment in the UK defence industry of the requirement under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818 that Paris-aligned Benchmarks and UK Climate Transition Benchmarks exclude companies involved in activities related to controversial weapons; and whether the Government has evaluated any wider (a) economic and (b) investment impacts of that requirement.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As set out in response to PQ UIN 43043 on 9 April 2025, The UK Benchmarks Regulation sets out the requirements for UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and UK Paris-aligned Benchmarks.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) monitors and supervises benchmark administrators according to the Benchmarks Regulation . The FCA published a statement regarding their position on sustainability regulations and UK defence investment on 11 March 2025.

The Treasury launched a consultation on the future regulatory regime for benchmarks and benchmark administrators on 17 December 2025. This consultation seeks views on proposals to reform the UK’s existing benchmarks regime, including the Climate Transition Benchmark and Paris-Aligned Benchmark labels.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of Defence Sector exclusions within the Parliamentary Pension Scheme portfolio and whether this is compatible with Government defence sector financial objectives.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund is independent from government and investment decisions are a matter for the scheme’s trustees.

Found: Douglas McAllister (Labour; West Dunbartonshire) Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat; Mid Dunbartonshire) Jack Rankin

Found: Patricia Ferguson (Chair); Dave Doogan; Mr Angus MacDonald; Douglas McAllister; Susan Murray; Jack Rankin