Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of foreign sanctions and retaliation on mechanisms, organisations, and individuals that work to uphold international legal standards.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly disagrees with the sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court. We continue to monitor their impact on the Court's ability to carry out its mandate, and on the individuals and organisations which support international justice and accountability. We remain in close contact with the Court, affected British nationals, relevant organisations and international partners. The Government continues to assess the implementation and practical implications of these measures, including what support may be appropriate for those affected.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the International Criminal Court can continue to function effectively following the sanctions imposed on it by the United States of America.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly disagrees with the sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court. We continue to monitor their impact on the Court's ability to carry out its mandate, and on the individuals and organisations which support international justice and accountability. We remain in close contact with the Court, affected British nationals, relevant organisations and international partners. The Government continues to assess the implementation and practical implications of these measures, including what support may be appropriate for those affected.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to take steps to impose a blocking statute to shield UK based individuals and organisations from the effects of sanctions on the International Criminal Court.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly disagrees with the sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court. We continue to monitor their impact on the Court's ability to carry out its mandate, and on the individuals and organisations which support international justice and accountability. We remain in close contact with the Court, affected British nationals, relevant organisations and international partners. The Government continues to assess the implementation and practical implications of these measures, including what support may be appropriate for those affected.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK Government will take legal action against British citizens living in Occupied Palestine in illegal settlements who commit acts of terrorism and settler violence.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has consistently condemned violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank and remains clear that those responsible should be held accountable. It is important that British nationals are aware of the UK's position on settlements and the rules that will be brought in under new measures announced by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his statement on 8 September 2026 on Israel-Palestine, which licences will be refused where they materially contribute to the occupation.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government has concluded that Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful.
We have already suspended or rejected over 80 licences. Those suspensions remain in place. Additionally, we will now refuse all applications for exports that materially contribute to the occupation.
We have reviewed all extant licences for exports to Israel on the same basis. All licences are maintained under careful and continual review, and we can and will suspend or revoke any that we assess materially contribute to the occupation.
We now have in effect an additional lock on relevant licences.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his statement to the House on 8 September on Israel-Palestine, whether a monitoring body will be established to assess compliance with the sanctions.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The enforcement and effectiveness of sanctions is a priority for the Government, and we conducted a major cross government review on this in 2025. Government departments and specialised agencies are mandated to lead on the enforcement and implementation of sanctions.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on returning to Pakistan any person convicted in absentia by (a) an anti-terrorism court and (b) court martial.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The return of an individual to another country is considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with UK law and the United Kingdom's international obligations.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his planned timetable is for the prohibition of illegal settlement trade with Israel.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September in relation to Israel and Palestine.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether an assessment under the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance Human Rights Guidance was completed in respect of (a) the £8 million migration cooperation package announced in June 2026 and (b) UK counter-terrorism assistance to Pakistan.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK applies the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Human Rights Guidance to security and justice assistance overseas. Relevant UK assistance in Pakistan is delivered in accordance with the Government's established OSJA processes. OSJA assessments are reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in the operating context.
Asked by: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to release the Government's review and response to the ICJ's Provisional Measures of January, March and May 2024 regarding Gaza.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement the Provisional Measures indicated by the Court. The Foreign Secretary was clear in our support for the ICJ and its processes in his 8 September statement.