Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any correlation between (1) dictatorships and public health, and (2) the suppression of information, reporting and whistle-blowers and the spread of COVID-19; and what plans they have to assess how they engage with authoritarian regimes as part of their Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

Diseases are global threats and require an international response. The UK's support helps the most vulnerable across the globe, no matter which country they live in. We continue to encourage all countries to follow WHO guidelines to enable the international community to understand the trajectory of COVID-19 and to counter misinformation which could damage the public's health. The Integrated Review will include a reassessment of how we work with international partners and organisations to promote the UK's interests around the world.