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 Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Scotland Act to provide that a referendum be arranged in the situation where there is a consensus in Scotland for independence.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
In 2014, there was agreement in the UK parliament and the Scottish parliament, across all political parties, and across civic society, that there should be a referendum. There is no such consensus now. In that referendum, the people of Scotland made clear their continued commitment to Scotland remaining part of the UK.
As set out in the manifesto which saw this government win a majority of UK parliamentary seats in Scotland, this Government does not support independence or another referendum.
Our focus now must be on delivery, not division. This UK Government is focused entirely on delivering in the national interest.
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 Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will set out the required steps for an independence referendum in Scotland.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
This Government was elected on a clear commitment not to support independence or another referendum. People need and want their governments focused on the big issues our country faces - economic growth, the cost of living, public services and security. That is what this Government is doing.
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 Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will set out the the conditions under which the Government would grant permission for Scotland to hold another Independence Referendum.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
This Government was elected on a clear commitment not to support independence or another referendum. People need and want their governments focused on the big issues our country faces - economic growth, the cost of living, public services and security. That is what this Government is doing.
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.