Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking with international partners to help ensure access to (a) the internet and (b) telecommunications by people in Afghanistan.

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

The Taliban's decision to shut down internet services from 29 September to 1 October was deeply concerning. It risked crippling Afghanistan's economy, causing significant issues with the delivery of vital UK aid, and cutting off vulnerable communities.

The UK Government is committed to using its prominent position in multilateral forums to hold the Taliban to account for their repressive policies. Last month, the UK hosted a meeting of G7+ Special Representatives for Afghanistan: this provided an important opportunity for the UK to show international leadership, highlight publicly our deep concern about the Taliban's continued denial of the Afghan people's most basic human rights and call for the full restoration of internet access for all Afghans.

North to South for Poppyscotland walk by Wendy Sylvester

Found: Meg Hillier (Chair); Dame Harriett Baldwin; Chris Coghlan; Bobby Dean; Jim Dickson; John Glen; John Grady

Found: Horley) Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat; Carshalton and Wallington) John Glen (Conservative; Salisbury) John Grady

Found: Horley) Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat; Carshalton and Wallington) John Glen (Conservative; Salisbury) John Grady

Found: Horley) Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat; Carshalton and Wallington) John Glen (Conservative; Salisbury) John Grady

Found: meeting Members present: Dame Meg Hillier (Chair); Dame Harriett Baldwin; Bobby Dean; John Glen; John Grady