Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS Lancaster will be replaced at the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard the UK’s national security interests and operational requirements. We remain committed to working with our partners across the region.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the arrest of Ibrahim Sharif in Bahrain; whether they have made any representations to the government of Bahrain about his arrest; and what assessment they have made of the compatibility of his arrest with freedom of expression in Bahrain.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Government is aware of reports concerning the arrest of Ibrahim Sharif in Bahrain. We maintain a regular dialogue with the Government of Bahrain on human rights issues, both bilaterally and through multilateral channels. We continue to encourage Bahrain to uphold its international commitments, including respect for freedom of expression, while recognising that these matters are subject to Bahraini law. We will monitor developments and engage with Bahraini authorities as appropriate.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Bahrain's revocation of the visa of the Associated Press to cover the Manama Dialogue; and whether they have made any representations to the government of Bahrain about that action and compliance with obligations to uphold freedom of the press.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
We are aware of reports that the visa of Associated Press journalists was revoked ahead of this year's Manama Dialogue. The UK remains committed to supporting media freedom and regularly underlines the importance of this principle in our engagement with international partners, including Bahrain.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Foreign Secretary made any representations to the government of Bahrain about high-profile imprisoned activists or human rights issues during the visit to that country.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
During her recent visit to Bahrain, the Foreign Secretary discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues. The UK maintains an open and frank dialogue with Bahrain on human rights.
Asked by: Andy Slaughter (Labour - Hammersmith and Chiswick)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she last asked her Bahraini counterpart to allow a research mission by a UN Special Rapporteur to consider the human rights situation in Bahrain.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to encourage all countries to engage constructively with UN mechanisms, including Special Rapporteurs, as part of their international commitments. The UK remains committed to supporting progress on human rights.
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of foreign sovereign wealth funds to the Government’s strategy for attracting long-term investment into the UK economy.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the important role that foreign sovereign wealth funds play in supporting long-term investment in the UK. The UK continues to attract significant investment from sovereign wealth funds, including through strategic partnerships with funds from the Gulf region. This includes a recent £2 billion investment partnership with Bahrain to support sectors such as clean energy, technology, and manufacturing. This investment contributes to economic growth, job creation, and the development of key infrastructure across the country.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under what agreement the UK operates the Naval Support Facility in Bahrain.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Naval Support Facility in Bahrain operates under an arrangement reached with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2014.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 July (HL9197 and HL9244), why the Prime Minister raised human rights issues with Saudi Arabia but not Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK and the Gulf countries have close and long-standing relationships. We benefit from a genuine and open dialogue and work together on matters of shared interest in a variety of fora. The depth of our relationships allows us to work together constructively, raising points of difference as and when they arise. The answers provided in HL9197 and HL9244 relate to statements following meetings with our Gulf partners, and included non-exhaustive summaries of the issues discussed. The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. Continued progress is in the interest of the UK, the Gulf and the international community.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the Gulf Strategy Fund was (1) allocated to Bahrain, and (2) spent in Bahrain, in 2024–25.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
For Financial Year 2024/25, £900,000 was allocated to Bahrain. The actual spend was £896,594.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the names of the Bahraini bodies that have received training or technical assistance from implementing partners under the Gulf Strategy Fund in 2024–25.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Bahrain Gulf Strategy Fund Programme supported the following Bahraini bodies in Financial Year 2024/25: the Ministry of Social Development; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture; the Public Prosecution; Bahrain Space Agency; the National Institute for Human Rights; the Ministry of Interior's Ombudsman Office; the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission; and Civil Society Organisations.