Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what security assessment his Department has conducted on the potential risks associated with Mingyang Smart Energy supplying turbines for the Green Volt North Sea wind farm.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence works in close collaboration with other Departments as part of the Government’s process to assess and mitigate national security risks to UK interests at home and abroad.

It would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases, but any investment in the energy sector or other parts of our Critical National Infrastructure is subject to the highest levels of scrutiny.

The Government continues to welcome investment, but we will not hesitate to protect national security wherever we identify specific areas of concern.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the sale of (a) HMS Albion and (b) HMS Bulwark; and what the estimated market value of each vessel was at the time of decommissioning.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to disclose progress regarding the sale of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason has the signature of the full business case for the E-7 Wedgetail programme been delayed.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The E7 Full Business Case is undergoing due consideration within the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) approvals process. The MOD operates a robust approvals process in accordance with HM Treasury's approvals control framework.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for when RFA Fort Victoria will rejoin the active fleet.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

RFA Fort Victoria is in a period of planned maintenance, which was delayed to prioritise higher priority outputs. We do not disclose the details of forward availability forecasts to preserve the operational security of the fleet, however I can confirm that she will be regenerated in accordance with defence requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any payments related to a Chagos Islands agreement will be funded from his Department's budget; and whether such payments will be front-loaded in the context of the Government’s commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The terms of the treaty are still being finalised, once the treaty is finalised it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual way.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what the total cost to the public purse will be of the UK defence budget in financial year (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27, (c) 2027-28 and (d) 2028-29.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This commitment will be funded by reductions in Overseas Development Aid to 0.3% of GNI and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.

HMT is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL, on 11 June 2025.

The Defence Budget for financial year 2025-26 is £59.8 billion and was published in the Autumn Budget in October 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 28893 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he has made an assessment with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the value for money of the proposed Chagos Island deal.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The treaty is not finalised yet, when the deal is finalised, the Government will put it before the House.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Marines personnel were classified as (i) Medically Fully Deployable, (ii) Medically Limited Deployable and (iii) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025.

Source: DMICP & JPA.

1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.

2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving against

requirement personnel in service.

3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel.

Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available.

Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities.

This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of Army personnel were classified as (a) Medically Fully Deployable, (b) Medically Limited Deployable and (c) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025.

Source: DMICP & JPA.

1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.

2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving against

requirement personnel in service.

3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel.

Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available.

Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities.

This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of Royal Air Force personnel were classified as (a) Medically Fully Deployable, (b) Medically Limited Deployable and (c) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025.

Source: DMICP & JPA.

1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.

2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving against

requirement personnel in service.

3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel.

Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available.

Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities.

This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of UK Regular Forces personnel were classified as (a) Medically Fully Deployable, (b) Medically Limited Deployable and (c) Medically Not Deployable as of 1 January 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The table below presents the Medical Deployability Standard of UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by Service, as at 1 January 2025.

Source: DMICP & JPA.

1. MDS was missing for 10 personnel.

2.The figures provided are for full time trained (Royal Navy and RAF)/trade trained (army) and serving against

requirement personnel in service.

3. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to MDS being missing for a small number of personnel.

Personnel with a grade of MLD are medically fit for duty with minor employment limitations. A grade of MLD requires a medical risk assessment to be carried out for deployment. The decision on that deployment will depend on the medical condition, individual function, the proposed employment, length of the deployment and the medical support available.

Personnel graded as Medically Non-Deployable are not fit to deploy on Operations; however, they may be deployable on UK based exercises and should be able to work effectively for at least 32.5 hours per week. Personnel graded Medically Non-Deployable may require continued medical care, long term medication and access to secondary care facilities.

This new Government is committed to providing world-class medical treatment to ensure personnel can return to duty where possible, or to support their transition to civilian life.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, on what percentage of economic growth in the economy is the increase in Defence spending based.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The increase in defence spending is based on OBR forecasts of GDP growth. Further detail will be made available on 26 March alongside the OBR’s next forecast in the usual way.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Prime Minister's statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what steps the Government plans to take to fund the £13.4 billion annual uplift in defence funding beyond the £5.3 billion reallocated from the reduced aid budget.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

£13.4bn represents the forecast increase in total NATO qualifying defence spending from 2024-25 to 2027-28. This increase comprises the reallocated ODA funding, as well as forecast increases to existing NATO qualifying spend over that timeframe.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what proportion of additional defence spending will be funded by transfers from the overseas aid budget.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Tuesday’s announcement is fully funded - we are reducing ODA to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI to fund the additional spend required to ensure we spend 2.5% of GDP on defence spending in 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of decommissioning HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark on the UK’s amphibious warfare capability; and whether a replacement capability will be procured before their disposal.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

HMS Albion and Bulwark have been alongside since 2023 and 2017 respectively with no plans for them to return to sea before their out of service dates. Amphibious operations will continue to delivered by the Bay Class and RFA Argus until the introduction of the Multi Role Support Ship, which will succeed the amphibious fleet in the 2030s.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to sell any of the Type 26 frigates currently on order for the Royal Navy, to Norway.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business and Trade are actively supporting the promotion of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship design to other navies around the world with similar requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the latest estimated IOC date is for the last of class of the Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On current plans the construction of all eight Type 26 frigates is expected to be complete by the mid-2030s. HMS Glasgow's Initial Operating Capability date remains October 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Type 26 frigates the his Department plans to order from BAE Systems; and whether this number is still subject to the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review will consider all Defence capability requirements in the context of current and future threats.

The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates. All ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.

HMS Venturer will be the first in Class of the Type 31 and is scheduled to be In service and ready for operations by the end of the decade. All five Type 31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Type 31 frigates his Department plans to order from Babcock; and whether this number is still subject to the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review will consider all Defence capability requirements in the context of current and future threats.

The T26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates. All ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.

HMS Venturer will be the first in Class of the Type 31 and is scheduled to be In service and ready for operations by the end of the decade. All five Type 31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the current estimated IOC date is for the first Type 83 destroyer.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Type 83 Destroyer will be the core of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, which has commenced its concept phase. FADS will replace the UK's present Maritime Air Defence Capability vested in the Type 45 Destroyer Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the agreement for Navantia UK to acquire Harland and Wolf will result in (a) delays and (b) cost increases for the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery, with a minimum of delay.

The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the contract change and we are unable to comment on the details due to commercial sensitivities. Extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the programme including the impact on the in-service dates, which is still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for when the Crowsnest airbone early warning system will achieve Full Operating Capability.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopter, as delivered by the CROWSNEST programme, has been in service since March 2021. The Programme is in the final stages of delivery for Full Operating Capability - expected by 28 March 2025, which is within its approved date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the IOC for the new Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow, remains October 2028.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On current plans the construction of all eight Type 26 frigates is expected to be complete by the mid-2030s. HMS Glasgow's Initial Operating Capability date remains October 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to purchase additional E-7 Wedgetail aircrafts.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 25 July 2024 to Question UIN 432 to the hon. Member for North Durham (Luke Akehurst).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost increase has been for the Fleet Solid Support Ship contract since initial agreement.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On the current schedule, the first ship is expected to enter service by 2031 following extended first of class trials and equipment fits, however extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme following the recent takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia UK. This includes the impact on the in-service dates which are still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.

The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery. The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the detailed contract change and it would be inappropriate to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his timeline is for the delivery of the first Fleet Solid Support Ship.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On the current schedule, the first ship is expected to enter service by 2031 following extended first of class trials and equipment fits, however extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme following the recent takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia UK. This includes the impact on the in-service dates which are still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible.

The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure the programme's continued delivery. The FSS team are working with Navantia UK to complete the detailed contract change and it would be inappropriate to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his policy to implement the Multi-Role Support Ship programme; and what the timeline is for (a) its development and (b) the procurement of vessels.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Multi-Role Support Ship programme is progressing through the Concept Phase. The Royal Navy and Defence Equipment & Support are conducting detailed work on key user requirements, conceptual designs, affordability, and exportability assessments. Alongside other shipbuilding programmes, they are maintaining engagement with all leading UK shipbuilding entities and the National Shipbuilding Office on the best commercial approach to deliver for the Navy and the Nation. The Outline Business Case is due for submission mid-2025 which will detail the schedule for future contract award milestones.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) the Chief Executive and (b) senior executives of Boeing on the E-7 Wedgetail programme.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Engagement with Boeing senior leadership continues with Ministers and wider Ministry of Defence leadership. The Secretary of State for Defence and I have held several engagements with senior Boeing representatives. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support has regular meetings with his counterpart at Boeing Defence, Space & Security to discuss Wedgetail progress.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential threat to Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia from saboteurs.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

We routinely assess the range of potential threats to the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the latest estimated IOC date is for what is now HMS Achilles .

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Achilles, the final vessel, is at an advanced stage of build at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.

The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who claimed asylum in the British Indian Ocean Territory and subsequently transferred to the UK (a) has been or (b) are the subject of an investigation into foreign espionage activities directed at (i) UK and (ii) international allies' interests.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

All migrants who have arrived in the UK have undergone the required security checks in line with the appropriate immigration rules.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is to publish the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report in the Spring and the Defence Secretary will subsequently report to Parliament. The SDR will feed into the national security strategy which brings together the reviews already commissioned across Government.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the UK’s declaration on Article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the jurisdiction of (a) the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and (b) an arbitral tribunal under Annex VII of UNCLOS on UK (i) military and (ii) law enforcement activities.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

By Declaration dated 12 January 1998, the UK chose the International Court of Justice for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS. By Declaration dated 7 April 2003 the UK exercised the right to exclude from compulsory dispute settlement procedures in UNCLOS "disputes concerning military activities, including military activities by government vessels and aircraft engaged in non-commercial service and disputes concerning law enforcement activities in regard to the exercise of sovereign rights and jurisdiction excluded from the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal under article 297 paragraph 2 or 3". Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 297 address disputes related to marine scientific research and fisheries respectively.

While these exclusions remain in place, they do not prevent all possible legal challenges. It is worth noting that in the event that parties to a dispute concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS have chosen different procedures for the settlement of disputes, the dispute must be submitted to an arbitral tribunal unless the parties otherwise agree. Such rulings are binding on the parties.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost to the public purse is of the five multi-role electronically scanned array radars as part of the E-7 Wedgetail programme.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The cost of procurement for the Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar is approximately £60 million each, therefore approximately £300 million in total. In March 2021, a decision was taken to reduce the numbers of E-7 Wedgetail platforms from five to three.

Parts from the radars originally planned for aircraft four and five will be retained for spares allowing a saving /offset of initial procurement and future sustainment requirements from the overall programme cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the proposed agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands contains a clause allowing other States to use the allocated electromagnetic spectrum in the British Indian Ocean Territory; and what steps his Department is taking to help prevent risks to the Automated Digital Network System 3.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. We routinely assess the range of potential threats to the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on diversity and inclusion programmes relating to (a) employment, (b) pensions, (c) recruitment and (d) other matters since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) remains committed to making the step changes required to create a more inclusive Defence environment. We continue to work hard to broaden the diversity of our workforce through actively engaging with employees to attract the best talent, drive an inclusive culture at work, and better reflect the society we serve. The requested information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Information on spending can be found in the Department's annual report and accounts: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government of Mauritius will assume responsibility for asylum seekers arriving in the Chagos Islands once the agreement has been ratified by Parliament.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Once the UK's agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago comes into force, Mauritius will take responsibility for any migrants who may arrive on the islands in the future. The deal will close a dangerous, illegal migration route. Up until the deal is in force, St Helena will accept any migrants arriving in the Chagos islands pursuant to an arrangement we made with them in October 2024.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many and what proportion of all people (a) intercepted and (b) detained in the British Indian Ocean Territory were (i) questioned and (ii) charged on espionage-related offences in the last five years.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We do not comment on espionage-related activity. No migrants have arrived on BIOT since 2022.

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 protect British journalists who have been arbitrarily detained abroad.

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

The Government takes allegations concerning the arbitrary detention of British nationals - including journalists - very seriously. We examine the circumstances of each case individually and develop tailored strategies based on careful judgements on what is likely to be most effective. Where appropriate, we seek to raise concerns with the local authorities and press for specific violations to be remedied or investigated. We expect all States to comply with their human right obligations. The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to bring forward legislative proposals to provide a legal right to consular assistance to all British nationals facing arbitrary detention overseas.

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

The Government takes allegations concerning the arbitrary detention of British nationals - including journalists - very seriously. We examine the circumstances of each case individually and develop tailored strategies based on careful judgements on what is likely to be most effective. Where appropriate, we seek to raise concerns with the local authorities and press for specific violations to be remedied or investigated. We expect all States to comply with their human right obligations. The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

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 provide consular assistance for British nationals who are arbitrarily detained abroad.

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

The Government takes allegations concerning the arbitrary detention of British nationals - including journalists - very seriously. We examine the circumstances of each case individually and develop tailored strategies based on careful judgements on what is likely to be most effective. Where appropriate, we seek to raise concerns with the local authorities and press for specific violations to be remedied or investigated. We expect all States to comply with their human right obligations. The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

Found: NHS Trusts: Finance 14 February 2025 | UIN 29422 Asked by: Mr Mark Francois To ask the Secretary